A former upstate town justice cannot be held liable for allegedly mishandling court fees and failing to keep accurate books because his actions were cloaked with judicial immunity, a state appeals court has ruled.

James Chase, a former town justice in Turin, a town of less 1,000 residents in Lewis County, was performing duties within his judicial capacity when he handled court fines and fees and maintained books and records, according to an Appellate Division, Fourth Department, panel.