(WNY News Now) – Albany, NY – New York has enacted legislation, S.7534/A.7669, to enhance its criminal justice system by increasing the number of judges on certain courts. The move aims to tackle the backlog exacerbated by court closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The backlog in our justice system denies New Yorkers the opportunity to have their day in court in a timely manner,” Governor Hochul said. “This new law moves us closer to the fair and efficient court system New Yorkers deserve.”
Court closures during the COVID-19 pandemic created a significant backlog in cases, which created significant wait times for defendants and litigants. Trends are moving in the right direction, and trends show the courts are starting to close more cases than they received in 2023. While activity is up, the number of arraignments pending disposition across the State remains high at nearly 120,000 pending cases according to OCA statistics. Increasing the number of judges will result in more court proceedings occurring, and will reduce time and bring justice to both defendants and victims.
New York State Court of Appeals Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson said, “We applaud Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblymember Andrew Bores and the Legislature for their leadership on this issue. The Governor’s action today reflects our shared vision for improving the outcomes for families in distress by strengthening the Family Court system. With this legislation, families and children across New York will benefit from a more timely, effective, and thoughtful judicial response to the challenges they confront.”
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “I’m thrilled that Governor Hochul signed our legislation to bring more judges to New York City and statewide, which will help alleviate the unjust backlogs and delays plaguing our justice system. The bill adds much-needed Family Court judges, Justices of the Supreme Court and New York City Civil Court judges, which will help address the quality of justice in those courts. I thank Assembly Member Bores for his support, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for bringing the bill to the floor, and Governor Hochul for signing it into law.”
Assemblymember Alex Bores said, “A justice system which cannot render resolutions and verdicts in a timely manner cannot be called ‘just.’ This bill delivers much needed support to courts in New York City and across the State under strain I applaud the Governor for taking this positive step to address the troubling backlog of cases in New York State.”
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