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Child Advocate, Dutchess County Judge Honored By Exchange Club

DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. -- A service club whose primary goal is to prevent child abuse recently honord Dutchess County Court Judge Peter M. Forman.

Peter Forman was honored by the Dutchess County Exchange. He is a judge for the Dutchess County Court in New York.

Peter Forman was honored by the Dutchess County Exchange. He is a judge for the Dutchess County Court in New York.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The Exchange Club of Southern Dutchess presented Forman with the "2016 Book of Golden Deeds" award recognizing his "decades of behind-the-scenes service to his neighbors in Dutchess County.

A past club president and member of the judiciary, Forman is an active community volunteer and advocate for improving the life of others in his native Dutchess County.

“Given Peter’s long-time service, it’s especially appropriate that we honored his dedication during our club’s 50th anniversary year,” said President Denise D. VanBuren.  “We were thrilled to have this opportunity to recognize Judge Forman’s contributions to improving our community’s quality of life over many years and acts of selfless service.” 

Judge Forman was recognized in particular for the strong advocacy role that he has played on behalf of children within the local court system.

The National Exchange Club’s longest running program, the Book of Golden Deeds Award recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talents toward making their communities better places to live. 

Career

Forman began his career in 1982 as an Assistant Dutchess County District Attorney. He served as a city attorney for Beacon from 1990 to 1999, and as a law clerk to Judge Thomas Dolan from 1993 to 1999 before working in private practice.

His judicial career began with his appointment to the Dutchess County Family Court. He was elected to a full term on this court in 2000 and was re-elected in 2009. 

He has also served as an Acting Justice of the Dutchess County Supreme Court and as a judge of the Dutchess County Family Treatment Court. 

In 2010, he was elected to the County Court for a 10-year term.

As an active volunteer, Forman has served as a member of the Vassar Brothers Hospital Affiliate Board of Trustees since 1997; Hudson Valley Home Care since 1997; Dutchess County Child Services Council since 2002; and the Dutchess County Sex Offender Management Committee since 2003. 

Judge Forman has presided over the Family Treatment Court (often known as a “drug court”). This court handles neglect cases with parents who have substance abuse issues and are in danger of losing their children to foster care. 

In 2005, he opened a similar problem-solving court for juveniles. 

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