[[{"time":"12","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101231","guid":"8196091b-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Opening Statements"},{"time":"13.946","type":"text","text":">> Welcome, everyone."},{"time":"14.547","type":"text","text":"Thank you for attending this"},{"time":"17.016","type":"text","text":"joint hearing of the senate and"},{"time":"19.352","type":"text","text":"assembly judiciary committees on"},{"time":"23.189","type":"text","text":"chief judge defoyer's proposal"},{"time":"25.525","type":"text","text":"to consolidate new york trial"},{"time":"26.125","type":"text","text":"courts."},{"time":"27.893","type":"text","text":"Ooh state senator brad hoylman"},{"time":"28.361","type":"text","text":"chair of he judiciary"},{"time":"28.628","type":"text","text":"committee."},{"time":"30.663","type":"text","text":"I'd like to acknowledge and"},{"time":"32.599","type":"text","text":"thank my assemblymember"},{"time":"35.535","type":"text","text":"counterpart, assemblymember and"},{"time":"37.437","type":"text","text":"assembly jacker obituary jeffrey"},{"time":"38.671","type":"text","text":"dinowitz for coordinating this"},{"time":"39.005","type":"text","text":"hearing."},{"time":"41.273","type":"text","text":"I'd also like to welcome my"},{"time":"42.175","type":"text","text":"senate colleague who will be"},{"time":"44.677","type":"text","text":"speaking later, ranking member"},{"time":"46.445","type":"text","text":"of the judiciary committee,"},{"time":"47.18","type":"text","text":"senator tom o'mara."},{"time":"49.282","type":"text","text":"This is the second of two"},{"time":"50.717","type":"text","text":"legislative hearings."},{"time":"52.919","type":"text","text":"We've held this month on the"},{"time":"53.72","type":"text","text":"court consolidation proposal."},{"time":"55.088","type":"text","text":"The first was last week in new"},{"time":"55.955","type":"text","text":"york city."},{"time":"57.79","type":"text","text":"A among the major highlights of"},{"time":"58","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101232","guid":"8198b9f7-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"60.593","type":"text","text":"the proposal, it will festival"},{"time":"62.862","type":"text","text":"create two separate trial courts"},{"time":"65.913","type":"text","text":"from the 11 we currently have,"},{"time":"67.8","type":"text","text":"first a supreme court consisting"},{"time":"70.203","type":"text","text":"of the former court of claims"},{"time":"72.138","type":"text","text":"and supreme court county, family"},{"time":"73.573","type":"text","text":"and surrogates courts, and"},{"time":"75.208","type":"text","text":"second, a municipal court,"},{"time":"76.943","type":"text","text":"comprised of the long island"},{"time":"78.712","type":"text","text":"district courts, the new york"},{"time":"81.08","type":"text","text":"city civil and criminal courts,"},{"time":"83.683","type":"text","text":"and the 61 city courts"},{"time":"86.086","type":"text","text":"throughout the state."},{"time":"87.521","type":"text","text":"The proposal also by expanding"},{"time":"89.522","type":"text","text":"the number of judges on the"},{"time":"91.858","type":"text","text":"supreme court increases the"},{"time":"93.193","type":"text","text":"number of judges who will be"},{"time":"94.694","type":"text","text":"eligible for appointment by the"},{"time":"96.596","type":"text","text":"governor to the appellate"},{"time":"96.863","type":"text","text":"division."},{"time":"100.801","type":"text","text":"We would also be removing a"},{"time":"101.468","type":"text","text":"constitutional limitation on the"},{"time":"103.97","type":"text","text":"creation of new supreme court"},{"time":"105.639","type":"text","text":"judgeships and making it easier"},{"time":"107.206","type":"text","text":"for the legislature to expand"},{"time":"109.977","type":"text","text":"the number of appellate device"},{"time":"110.61","type":"text","text":"departments."},{"time":"113.675","type":"text","text":"As for what the proposal doesn't"},{"time":"116.917","type":"text","text":"do, in my reaing, it is a"},{"time":"118.651","type":"text","text":"so-called merge inner place as"},{"time":"120.753","type":"text","text":"we'll hear described by judge"},{"time":"122.088","type":"text","text":"marks shortly, meaning that it"},{"time":"123.69","type":"text","text":"doesn't change how any of the"},{"time":"125.525","type":"text","text":"various judgeships in the state"},{"time":"126.527","type":"text","text":"are selected."},{"time":"129.586","type":"text","text":"Some judges will continue to be"},{"time":"129.65","type":"text","text":"elected."},{"time":"130.664","type":"text","text":"Others appointed."},{"time":"131.865","type":"text","text":"One excepting, of course, is the"},{"time":"133.8","type":"text","text":"new york city housing court"},{"time":"135.835","type":"text","text":"judges who will now be appointed"},{"time":"138.205","type":"text","text":"by the mayor rather than the"},{"time":"141.175","type":"text","text":"chief administrative judge."},{"time":"143.41","type":"text","text":"It does also, doesn't touch the"},{"time":"145.245","type":"text","text":"down and village, justice courts"},{"time":"146.847","type":"text","text":"across the state, which is an"},{"time":"149.483","type":"text","text":"issue about which we'll hear"},{"time":"150.216","type":"text","text":"testimony today."},{"time":"153.019","type":"text","text":"At last week's hearing we heard"},{"time":"153.921","type":"text","text":"from chief executive"},{"time":"154.975","type":"text","text":"administrative judge lawrence"},{"time":"156.457","type":"text","text":"marks with the details of the"},{"time":"156.757","type":"text","text":"plan."},{"time":"157.824","type":"text","text":"Legal service providers, bar"},{"time":"159.793","type":"text","text":"associations, and the business"},{"time":"161.395","type":"text","text":"community about the current"},{"time":"163.931","type":"text","text":"system's ineffective impact on"},{"time":"165.666","type":"text","text":"litigants and legal practition%"},{"time":"166.766","type":"text","text":"ineffective impacts."},{"time":"168.502","type":"text","text":"We heard from judicial with"},{"time":"169.903","type":"text","text":"mixed reviews on the proposal"},{"time":"173.307","type":"text","text":"beep heard from non-judicial"},{"time":"174.575","type":"text","text":"court employee associations who"},{"time":"176.31","type":"text","text":"shared concerns about the impact"},{"time":"177.711","type":"text","text":"of court consolidation on their"},{"time":"177.945","type":"text","text":"members."},{"time":"180.947","type":"text","text":"And we heard from several"},{"time":"182.082","type":"text","text":"witnesses, a concern that the"},{"time":"185.186","type":"text","text":"impact of this proposal might"},{"time":"186.92","type":"text","text":"have on judicial diversity."},{"time":"189.723","type":"text","text":"The issue of judicial diversity,"},{"time":"190.457","type":"text","text":"particularly outside of new york"},{"time":"194.195","type":"text","text":"city, is an important one and"},{"time":"196.096","type":"text","text":"one that is shared -- held"},{"time":"199.033","type":"text","text":"strongly by my colleague,"},{"time":"201.268","type":"text","text":"senator lisa sepulveda, who"},{"time":"204.271","type":"text","text":"heads the subcommittee of the"},{"time":"206.106","type":"text","text":"judiciary committee on judicial"},{"time":"209.443","type":"text","text":"diversity, and we invited chief"},{"time":"210.445","type":"text","text":"administrative judge marks back"},{"time":"211.879","type":"text","text":"today to join to us address that"},{"time":"212.38","type":"text","text":"issue directly."},{"time":"214.281","type":"text","text":"With that, we'll get started but"},{"time":"217.017","type":"text","text":"I'll hand it over to"},{"time":"219.554","type":"text","text":"assemblymember dinowitz first."},{"time":"221.555","type":"text","text":"Please, he can describe the"},{"time":"222.189","type":"text","text":"housekeeping rules."},{"time":"223.791","type":"text","text":"He's very good a keeping time"},{"time":"224","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101233","guid":"819c57c0-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz"},{"time":"225.292","type":"text","text":"and making certain that we all"},{"time":"227.729","type":"text","text":"keep to our paces."},{"time":"228.095","type":"text","text":"Assemblymember."},{"time":"230.364","type":"text","text":">> good morning, everybody."},{"time":"231.866","type":"text","text":"I won't repeat everything that"},{"time":"233.801","type":"text","text":"was just said so I will be very"},{"time":"234.101","type":"text","text":"brief."},{"time":"235.903","type":"text","text":"First of all, thank you all for"},{"time":"236.137","type":"text","text":"coming."},{"time":"238.072","type":"text","text":"We had a hearing a week and a"},{"time":"239.741","type":"text","text":"day ago in new york city."},{"time":"241.309","type":"text","text":"I thought it was a very good"},{"time":"241.675","type":"text","text":"hearing."},{"time":"243.71","type":"text","text":"We heard many different points"},{"time":"244.112","type":"text","text":"view."},{"time":"245.646","type":"text","text":"Clearly there is no unified"},{"time":"247.314","type":"text","text":"opinion on this proposal."},{"time":"250.785","type":"text","text":"There are many groups or"},{"time":"252.086","type":"text","text":"individuals supportive, many are"},{"time":"253.621","type":"text","text":"opposed, and then there are some"},{"time":"256.357","type":"text","text":"who are sort of in between,"},{"time":"258.259","type":"text","text":"supportive on some elements,"},{"time":"259.927","type":"text","text":"opposed on others."},{"time":"261.896","type":"text","text":"As was mentioned, one of the"},{"time":"265.433","type":"text","text":"issues that was brought to the"},{"time":"267.068","type":"text","text":"attention what is tissue of"},{"time":"267.335","type":"text","text":"diversity."},{"time":"269.704","type":"text","text":"It was pointed -- the issues of"},{"time":"269.97","type":"text","text":"diversity."},{"time":"271.005","type":"text","text":"It was pointed out that some of"},{"time":"273.174","type":"text","text":"the appointed judgeship such as"},{"time":"274.233","type":"text","text":"the court of claims judges"},{"time":"276.044","type":"text","text":"throughout the state are much"},{"time":"279.48","type":"text","text":"less diverse and much more"},{"time":"281.116","type":"text","text":"homogeneous than, say, the"},{"time":"282.349","type":"text","text":"elected judges with supreme"},{"time":"283.684","type":"text","text":"court judges, for example."},{"time":"284.652","type":"text","text":"Some of the members were very"},{"time":"287.589","type":"text","text":"concerned about that usual, and"},{"time":"289.19","type":"text","text":"there were other concerns"},{"time":"291.225","type":"text","text":"raised, but I think many of"},{"time":"293.661","type":"text","text":"the people who offered an"},{"time":"294.662","type":"text","text":"opinion also recognize many of"},{"time":"296.03","type":"text","text":"the problems that we have with"},{"time":"298.499","type":"text","text":"the current tem system."},{"time":"300.101","type":"text","text":"I believe that an effort look"},{"time":"301.636","type":"text","text":"this was attempted probably five"},{"time":"306.775","type":"text","text":"times in my lifetime and this"},{"time":"308.41","type":"text","text":"this is the latest version of"},{"time":"309.744","type":"text","text":"that and it certainly merits a"},{"time":"310.878","type":"text","text":"lot of consideration, and so we"},{"time":"312.147","type":"text","text":"look forward to everybody's"},{"time":"314.483","type":"text","text":"testimony, and I just wanted to"},{"time":"316.183","type":"text","text":"acknowledge two of my colleagues"},{"time":"319.12","type":"text","text":"are here, assemblymember"},{"time":"322.056","type":"text","text":"montesano from long island and"},{"time":"324.792","type":"text","text":"assemblymember steck from around"},{"time":"325.06","type":"text","text":"here."},{"time":"325.326","type":"text","text":"[Laughter]"},{"time":"329.33","type":"text","text":"So with that, our first"},{"time":"331.032","type":"text","text":"witness -- oh, yes."},{"time":"331.666","type":"text","text":"Time keeping."},{"time":"332.534","type":"text","text":"There are a lot of people who"},{"time":"334.369","type":"text","text":"are going to offer their"},{"time":"335.97","type":"text","text":"opinions, and I'm sure some of"},{"time":"338.106","type":"text","text":"my colleagues have questions,"},{"time":"340.175","type":"text","text":"although I know, because they"},{"time":"341.743","type":"text","text":"are very considerate, they're"},{"time":"344.98","type":"text","text":"going to try to be as brief as"},{"time":"346.214","type":"text","text":"possible on those questions, but"},{"time":"347.683","type":"text","text":"we with an to make sure we get"},{"time":"349.117","type":"text","text":"all the information we need."},{"time":"350.552","type":"text","text":"Want to make sure."},{"time":"352.487","type":"text","text":"So every witness is give five"},{"time":"352.721","type":"text","text":"minutes."},{"time":"354.489","type":"text","text":"Five minutes"},{"time":"355.691","type":"text","text":"and then to be followed up by"},{"time":"358.326","type":"text","text":"whatever questions that May be"},{"time":"358.626","type":"text","text":"asked."},{"time":"360.595","type":"text","text":"With that judge marks, welcome"},{"time":"360.795","type":"text","text":"back."},{"time":"361","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101235","guid":"81a29a19-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Hon. Lawrence K. Marks, Chief Administrative Judge, New York State Unified Court System"},{"time":"361.262","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"364.099","type":"text","text":"And I want to thank you,"},{"time":"365.099","type":"text","text":"particularly the chairs, for"},{"time":"368.536","type":"text","text":"allowing me to come back, and I"},{"time":"371.439","type":"text","text":"think there was some confusion"},{"time":"372.508","type":"text","text":"exhibited on the part of some of"},{"time":"374.075","type":"text","text":"the witnesses at the hearing"},{"time":"375.41","type":"text","text":"last week, and I think there was"},{"time":"377.912","type":"text","text":"also some confusion, frankly, on"},{"time":"380.964","type":"text","text":"the part of some of the members"},{"time":"381.023","type":"text","text":"of the panel last week."},{"time":"381.95","type":"text","text":"And I want to just take a few"},{"time":"384.786","type":"text","text":"minutes, and I will be less than"},{"time":"385.12","type":"text","text":"95 minutes."},{"time":"388.924","type":"text","text":">> if five"},{"time":"389.157","type":"text","text":"minutes."},{"time":"392.761","type":"text","text":">> if you could move microphone"},{"time":"393.094","type":"text","text":"closer to you."},{"time":"394.563","type":"text","text":">> I'm not going to repeat the"},{"time":"398.612","type":"text","text":"points that I made last week."},{"time":"398.667","type":"text","text":"I'm not going do get into the"},{"time":"399.501","type":"text","text":"crazy talk about how this"},{"time":"402.037","type":"text","text":"proposal will allow court"},{"time":"404.073","type":"text","text":"administrators to assign judges"},{"time":"405.673","type":"text","text":"from syracuse to manhattan."},{"time":"409.111","type":"text","text":"I'm not going to waste, you"},{"time":"410.17","type":"text","text":"know, the limited time that I"},{"time":"410.512","type":"text","text":"have on that."},{"time":"414.249","type":"text","text":"I want to focus on the issue of"},{"time":"416.685","type":"text","text":"judicial diversity because I"},{"time":"419.121","type":"text","text":"think the discussion last week"},{"time":"420.623","type":"text","text":"to some extent got sidetracked"},{"time":"423.692","type":"text","text":"and ended up being primarily"},{"time":"425.394","type":"text","text":"about judicial diversity, so I"},{"time":"427.095","type":"text","text":"want to address that in my brief"},{"time":"427.863","type":"text","text":"remarks this morning."},{"time":"429.732","type":"text","text":"And I want to start out by being"},{"time":"431.333","type":"text","text":"very clear about this, that"},{"time":"432.968","type":"text","text":"judicial diversity is a very"},{"time":"435.771","type":"text","text":"important issue, obviously."},{"time":"437.639","type":"text","text":"It's critical to ensuring public"},{"time":"439.041","type":"text","text":"trust and confidence in the"},{"time":"441.143","type":"text","text":"court system, to ensuring that"},{"time":"444.28","type":"text","text":"we have credibility as a court"},{"time":"446.014","type":"text","text":"system with the public, and that"},{"time":"448.216","type":"text","text":"is why it's been a top priority"},{"time":"449.818","type":"text","text":"for us in the court system to"},{"time":"452.955","type":"text","text":"try to do everything we can to"},{"time":"454.957","type":"text","text":"promote judicial diversity."},{"time":"457.392","type":"text","text":"For example, it's a key factor"},{"time":"460.229","type":"text","text":"in selecting our judicial"},{"time":"460.462","type":"text","text":"leaders."},{"time":"463.065","type":"text","text":"Two of our three deputy chief"},{"time":"464","type":"text","text":"administrative judges are"},{"time":"470.272","type":"text","text":"persons of color or are lgbt."},{"time":"474.11","type":"text","text":"Temperature our 15 downstate"},{"time":"475.411","type":"text","text":"administrative judges are the"},{"time":"476.312","type":"text","text":"frontline people who are running"},{"time":"477.747","type":"text","text":"the courts day to day."},{"time":"479.515","type":"text","text":"Temperature out 15 downstate"},{"time":"480.383","type":"text","text":"administrative judges are people"},{"time":"484.087","type":"text","text":"of color or are lgbt."},{"time":"488.291","type":"text","text":"The one category of judges that"},{"time":"490.793","type":"text","text":"we actually select,"},{"time":"491.994","type":"text","text":"senator hoylman mentioned that"},{"time":"493.629","type":"text","text":"be be l., are the new york city"},{"time":"494.631","type":"text","text":"housing judges."},{"time":"500.469","type":"text","text":"44% of whom are persons of color."},{"time":"501.67","type":"text","text":"We were run a program at the"},{"time":"503.006","type":"text","text":"judicial institute, our judicial"},{"time":"505.141","type":"text","text":"institute every summer for"},{"time":"507.143","type":"text","text":"economically disadvantaged"},{"time":"508.844","type":"text","text":"college graduates to a six week"},{"time":"510.479","type":"text","text":"program to help them prepare for"},{"time":"511.38","type":"text","text":"law school study."},{"time":"513.015","type":"text","text":"These are people who either are"},{"time":"517.062","type":"text","text":"going on to law school or plan"},{"time":"517.121","type":"text","text":"to go on to law school."},{"time":"518.588","type":"text","text":"The chief judge goes out and"},{"time":"520.055","type":"text","text":"speaks to groups of minority"},{"time":"521.39","type":"text","text":"attorneys about becoming a judge"},{"time":"525.446","type":"text","text":"and encourages them to seek"},{"time":"525.505","type":"text","text":"judgeships."},{"time":"525.563","type":"text","text":"So those are just some of the"},{"time":"527.296","type":"text","text":"steps that we've taken within"},{"time":"528.965","type":"text","text":"the court system itself to"},{"time":"531.201","type":"text","text":"promote judicial diversity."},{"time":"534.838","type":"text","text":"But moreover, the chief judges"},{"time":"536.072","type":"text","text":"court consolidation proposal"},{"time":"539.375","type":"text","text":"will promote judicial diversity,"},{"time":"540.31","type":"text","text":"particularly upstate, where it"},{"time":"542.212","type":"text","text":"will expand the number of"},{"time":"545.147","type":"text","text":"minority judges on the supreme"},{"time":"547.183","type":"text","text":"court mel, and this in turn will"},{"time":"549.085","type":"text","text":"expand the pool of minority"},{"time":"551.42","type":"text","text":"judges who are eligible for"},{"time":"553.656","type":"text","text":"appointment to the third and"},{"time":"555.057","type":"text","text":"fourth departments which now"},{"time":"556.692","type":"text","text":"have minimal judicial diversity,"},{"time":"558.928","type":"text","text":"and I know that you have justice"},{"time":"561.631","type":"text","text":"shiller troutman from the 4th"},{"time":"562.832","type":"text","text":"department will be speaking"},{"time":"564.367","type":"text","text":"about that directly this"},{"time":"564.867","type":"text","text":"morning."},{"time":"567.951","type":"text","text":"And our proposal will not in any"},{"time":"568.905","type":"text","text":"way diminish judicial diversity"},{"time":"571.107","type":"text","text":"in new york city, as some of the"},{"time":"572.441","type":"text","text":"witnesses last week claimed."},{"time":"576.179","type":"text","text":"All this proposal does or at"},{"time":"578.815","type":"text","text":"least all its primary provision"},{"time":"581.951","type":"text","text":"does is merge other courts into"},{"time":"583.352","type":"text","text":"the supreme court."},{"time":"585.588","type":"text","text":"On day one the same judges in"},{"time":"587.391","type":"text","text":"each county will be handling the"},{"time":"589.426","type":"text","text":"same universe of that county's"},{"time":"589.926","type":"text","text":"cases."},{"time":"592.983","type":"text","text":"The difference is that all the"},{"time":"593.563","type":"text","text":"cases will be consolidated into"},{"time":"595.698","type":"text","text":"one court, the supreme court,"},{"time":"596.933","type":"text","text":"and all the judges in supreme"},{"time":"598.634","type":"text","text":"court will be able to handle any"},{"time":"601.638","type":"text","text":"and all of those cases in a far"},{"time":"603.674","type":"text","text":"more efficient way."},{"time":"605.809","type":"text","text":"That means the court system will"},{"time":"608.711","type":"text","text":"have the flexibility and the"},{"time":"610.247","type":"text","text":"legitimacy that we lack now to"},{"time":"611.548","type":"text","text":"assign judges within a"},{"time":"612.782","type":"text","text":"particular jurisdiction to"},{"time":"614.918","type":"text","text":"handle the cases we need them to"},{"time":"615.184","type":"text","text":"handle."},{"time":"617.421","type":"text","text":"So if more judges are needed to"},{"time":"620.957","type":"text","text":"handle trial protective cases --"},{"time":"622.793","type":"text","text":"child protect cases, that will"},{"time":"623.092","type":"text","text":"heap."},{"time":"625.295","type":"text","text":"If more more judges are need"},{"time":"626.363","type":"text","text":"today handle foreclosure cases."},{"time":"627.33","type":"text","text":"That will happen."},{"time":"629.366","type":"text","text":"That does not diminish judicial"},{"time":"629.632","type":"text","text":"diversity."},{"time":"631.768","type":"text","text":"What it does do is benefit"},{"time":"633.904","type":"text","text":"litigants, in particular,"},{"time":"635.038","type":"text","text":"economically disadvantaged"},{"time":"636.84","type":"text","text":"litigants, especially those"},{"time":"638.975","type":"text","text":"facing family and housing"},{"time":"639.375","type":"text","text":"crises."},{"time":"642.312","type":"text","text":"So while promoting judicial"},{"time":"644.214","type":"text","text":"diversity is a vitally important"},{"time":"645.549","type":"text","text":"goal, that is not the primary"},{"time":"647.884","type":"text","text":"purpose of this proposal."},{"time":"649.185","type":"text","text":"Its primary purpose is to"},{"time":"653.123","type":"text","text":"streamline our unnecessarily"},{"time":"654.425","type":"text","text":"complex court system to allow"},{"time":"657.46","type":"text","text":"our court system to operate more"},{"time":"658.695","type":"text","text":"efficiently which far too often"},{"time":"660.598","type":"text","text":"it does not do now."},{"time":"662.632","type":"text","text":"So we urge you not to lose sight"},{"time":"664.735","type":"text","text":"of that and not to Miss Out on"},{"time":"666.771","type":"text","text":"this chance we have now to"},{"time":"668.372","type":"text","text":"simplify, to modernize, to"},{"time":"670.307","type":"text","text":"improve our state court system."},{"time":"672.142","type":"text","text":"Let's not lose this opportunity."},{"time":"674.578","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"677.381","type":"text","text":">> wow."},{"time":"677.948","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"680.684","type":"text","text":">> I told you."},{"time":"682.753","type":"text","text":">> downtown to start?"},{"time":"686.557","type":"text","text":">> thank you, judge marks."},{"time":"688.458","type":"text","text":"Thank you for the fiscal impact"},{"time":"691.695","type":"text","text":"study that I guess you released"},{"time":"693.63","type":"text","text":"yesterday on court"},{"time":"695.333","type":"text","text":"consolidation, which shows that"},{"time":"697.067","type":"text","text":"the proposal will cost the state"},{"time":"701.205","type":"text","text":"when fully phased in in fiscal"},{"time":"703","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101236","guid":"81a515ee-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"706.544","type":"text","text":"year 2027, 2028, about"},{"time":"707.678","type":"text","text":"$13 million, which is about"},{"time":"709.78","type":"text","text":"one-half of 1% of the"},{"time":"710.714","type":"text","text":"judiciary's annual budget."},{"time":"712.316","type":"text","text":"The assessment also estimates"},{"time":"715.352","type":"text","text":"the proposal will save litigants"},{"time":"718.889","type":"text","text":"4.5 million hours a year and"},{"time":"723.26","type":"text","text":"somewhere in the ballpark of"},{"time":"724.562","type":"text","text":"$14.8 million in travel"},{"time":"724.828","type":"text","text":"expenses."},{"time":"725.663","type":"text","text":"Could you give us some"},{"time":"727.798","type":"text","text":"background on how you arrived at"},{"time":"730.834","type":"text","text":"these different figures."},{"time":"731.735","type":"text","text":"First, who actually performed"},{"time":"734.672","type":"text","text":"the analysis?"},{"time":"738.209","type":"text","text":"And then third, why does it"},{"time":"740.011","type":"text","text":"diverge from preve fiscal"},{"time":"740.278","type":"text","text":"analyses?"},{"time":"743.681","type":"text","text":">> let me just preface that by"},{"time":"745.283","type":"text","text":"saying this is very technical"},{"time":"745.65","type":"text","text":"stuff."},{"time":"748.519","type":"text","text":"I'm not a researcher or"},{"time":"748.852","type":"text","text":"statistician."},{"time":"750.154","type":"text","text":"I have a general understanding"},{"time":"751.788","type":"text","text":"of the analysis and will explain"},{"time":"753.09","type":"text","text":"to you as I understand it."},{"time":"755.627","type":"text","text":"But we will have our staff who"},{"time":"758.229","type":"text","text":"work on this who are our people"},{"time":"761.765","type":"text","text":"from our research office and our"},{"time":"766.037","type":"text","text":"budget office who did the heavy"},{"time":"768.439","type":"text","text":"thinking on this."},{"time":"769.741","type":"text","text":"We'll next week hopefully come"},{"time":"774.045","type":"text","text":"and debrief your staffs on, you"},{"time":"775.613","type":"text","text":"know, exactly what the analysis"},{"time":"779.45","type":"text","text":"was."},{"time":"782.787","type":"text","text":"So they've looked at and this"},{"time":"784.422","type":"text","text":"built on prior studies that were"},{"time":"785.79","type":"text","text":"done, in particular, a study"},{"time":"790.461","type":"text","text":"that was done in 2007 by a court"},{"time":"791.762","type":"text","text":"commission, chaired by new york"},{"time":"792.597","type":"text","text":"city attorney terry dunn."},{"time":"794.899","type":"text","text":"We call it the dunn commission,"},{"time":"797.135","type":"text","text":"which did an extensive analysis"},{"time":"798.836","type":"text","text":"of savings to the state and"},{"time":"800.038","type":"text","text":"savings in particular to"},{"time":"801.673","type":"text","text":"litigants that would result from"},{"time":"803.007","type":"text","text":"the proposal that was being"},{"time":"804.508","type":"text","text":"floated back then, which is"},{"time":"808.245","type":"text","text":"actually very similar in"},{"time":"810.481","type":"text","text":"substance to the proposal that"},{"time":"811.716","type":"text","text":"we're -- that the chief judge is"},{"time":"813.218","type":"text","text":"proposing this year."},{"time":"817.655","type":"text","text":"And what they tried to do was"},{"time":"820.699","type":"text","text":"look at how, number one, if"},{"time":"821.693","type":"text","text":"there would be savings to the"},{"time":"823.027","type":"text","text":"court system resulting from the"},{"time":"823.294","type":"text","text":"proposal."},{"time":"825.33","type":"text","text":"They concluded there was about"},{"time":"826.764","type":"text","text":"$60 million in savings to the"},{"time":"827.699","type":"text","text":"court system."},{"time":"829.601","type":"text","text":"But we actually reject that"},{"time":"831.402","type":"text","text":"aspect of their analysis because"},{"time":"834.572","type":"text","text":"they're ever their savings, the"},{"time":"839.91","type":"text","text":"court system was a function mainlily of"},{"time":"841.613","type":"text","text":"attrition, and our feeling, we"},{"time":"844.148","type":"text","text":"feel very strongly about this,"},{"time":"846.05","type":"text","text":"is we're down, and I talk about"},{"time":"848.186","type":"text","text":"this at the budget hearing every"},{"time":"849.954","type":"text","text":"year, we're down roughly 1600"},{"time":"851.422","type":"text","text":"employees from where we were a"},{"time":"853.658","type":"text","text":"decade ago, from where we were"},{"time":"854.86","type":"text","text":"certainly compared to 2007 when"},{"time":"858.797","type":"text","text":"the earlier study was done, and"},{"time":"860.632","type":"text","text":"we're not attritioning out any"},{"time":"861.833","type":"text","text":"more employees these days."},{"time":"863.668","type":"text","text":"We can't afford to do that."},{"time":"866.271","type":"text","text":"The court system struggles"},{"time":"867.873","type":"text","text":"enough with more limited"},{"time":"869.308","type":"text","text":"personnel, and we can't afford"},{"time":"870.442","type":"text","text":"to lose more personnel."},{"time":"872.244","type":"text","text":"So we don't see savings to the"},{"time":"872.977","type":"text","text":"court system."},{"time":"876.081","type":"text","text":"We do, as you noted, senator, we"},{"time":"880.352","type":"text","text":"see a very modest increase in"},{"time":"881.39","type":"text","text":"costs, $13.1 million, once this"},{"time":"884.223","type":"text","text":"proposal is fully implemented."},{"time":"887.025","type":"text","text":"As you noted, that's less than 1"},{"time":"888.927","type":"text","text":"half of 1% judiciary's budget,"},{"time":"890.896","type":"text","text":"and those costs would apprise"},{"time":"894.5","type":"text","text":"from, since we'd be taking"},{"time":"895.667","type":"text","text":"county level judges up to"},{"time":"896.868","type":"text","text":"supreme court, some of them, not"},{"time":"898.937","type":"text","text":"all of them bus some of them now"},{"time":"901.974","type":"text","text":"are designated as acting supreme"},{"time":"903.575","type":"text","text":"court justices, but those that"},{"time":"905.11","type":"text","text":"aren't are paid at a lower"},{"time":"906.812","type":"text","text":"salary so they would be brought"},{"time":"908.747","type":"text","text":"up to the supreme court salary"},{"time":"910.949","type":"text","text":"naturally because they would"},{"time":"912.317","type":"text","text":"become full-fledged supreme"},{"time":"912.684","type":"text","text":"court justices."},{"time":"915.02","type":"text","text":"And then some of their staff and"},{"time":"917.756","type":"text","text":"some court staff would have to"},{"time":"920.993","type":"text","text":"be brought up to somewhat higher"},{"time":"921.694","type":"text","text":"grades as well."},{"time":"924.83","type":"text","text":"So the overall cost, which we're"},{"time":"926.631","type":"text","text":"very confident about this"},{"time":"929.568","type":"text","text":"analysis, would be approximately"},{"time":"932.623","type":"text","text":"$13 million annually."},{"time":"933.405","type":"text","text":"Once the proposal is fully"},{"time":"934.506","type":"text","text":"implemented five years after it"},{"time":"940.279","type":"text","text":"takes effectthe more difficult analysis"},{"time":"941.98","type":"text","text":"focuses on what is the savings"},{"time":"944.717","type":"text","text":"to litigants that would result"},{"time":"947.853","type":"text","text":"from court consolidation."},{"time":"949.855","type":"text","text":"And I said this last week, and"},{"time":"955.328","type":"text","text":"I'll repeat it, that this is a"},{"time":"956.228","type":"text","text":"proposal that is all about"},{"time":"959.464","type":"text","text":"making the court system run more"},{"time":"959.865","type":"text","text":"efficiently."},{"time":"964.403","type":"text","text":"And without a lout there will be"},{"time":"965.437","type":"text","text":"savings to litigants."},{"time":"966.405","type":"text","text":"There will be savings in"},{"time":"967.239","type":"text","text":"attorneys fees."},{"time":"968.474","type":"text","text":"There will be savings in lost"},{"time":"969.174","type":"text","text":"dates a work."},{"time":"970.476","type":"text","text":"There will be savings in child"},{"time":"971.177","type":"text","text":"care costs."},{"time":"973.178","type":"text","text":"There will be savings in"},{"time":"974.179","type":"text","text":"transportation costs."},{"time":"976.315","type":"text","text":"If cases can be resolved more"},{"time":"978.217","type":"text","text":"quickly, if they can be resolved"},{"time":"979.652","type":"text","text":"with fewer court appearances,"},{"time":"981.187","type":"text","text":"litigants are going to save"},{"time":"981.387","type":"text","text":"money."},{"time":"982.988","type":"text","text":"That's a truism, I think."},{"time":"985.524","type":"text","text":"I think we can all agree on"},{"time":"985.791","type":"text","text":"that."},{"time":"987.526","type":"text","text":"What's difficult is to try to"},{"time":"989.361","type":"text","text":"quantify that, and the dunn"},{"time":"991.363","type":"text","text":"commission in 2007 did try to"},{"time":"994.418","type":"text","text":"quantify that."},{"time":"996.501","type":"text","text":"We felt that, although our"},{"time":"997.97","type":"text","text":"people are very good and have a"},{"time":"1000.74","type":"text","text":"lot of expertise in this, we"},{"time":"1002.108","type":"text","text":"felt that objectively it was"},{"time":"1004.811","type":"text","text":"very difficult to try to come up"},{"time":"1010.35","type":"text","text":"with a dollar amount."},{"time":"1011.951","type":"text","text":"But we did calculate or try tows"},{"time":"1015.889","type":"text","text":"mate the number of -- the fewer"},{"time":"1017.456","type":"text","text":"court appearances that would"},{"time":"1019.158","type":"text","text":"result from this and translate"},{"time":"1020.359","type":"text","text":"that into the number of hours"},{"time":"1022.461","type":"text","text":"that would be saved for"},{"time":"1025.519","type":"text","text":"litigants."},{"time":"1025.578","type":"text","text":"And it was based on an"},{"time":"1025.698","type":"text","text":"assumption which I think is a"},{"time":"1028.033","type":"text","text":"very conservative assumption,"},{"time":"1029.235","type":"text","text":"maybe overly conservative"},{"time":"1030.102","type":"text","text":"assumption, that there would"},{"time":"1033.005","type":"text","text":"only be a 10% decrease in the"},{"time":"1036.709","type":"text","text":"number of court appearances, the"},{"time":"1037.544","type":"text","text":"reduced number court"},{"time":"1038.244","type":"text","text":"appearances."},{"time":"1044.917","type":"text","text":"The reduction would be only 10%"},{"time":"1047.119","type":"text","text":"across the board."},{"time":"1048.754","type":"text","text":"They also looked at kind of the"},{"time":"1050.756","type":"text","text":"classic example of what's wrong"},{"time":"1052.992","type":"text","text":"with our current court system."},{"time":"1054.927","type":"text","text":"The best example that we have,"},{"time":"1056.129","type":"text","text":"not the only example but the"},{"time":"1057.93","type":"text","text":"best, which is the overlap of"},{"time":"1061.167","type":"text","text":"one family's legal issues and up"},{"time":"1062.568","type":"text","text":"to three different courts that"},{"time":"1064.004","type":"text","text":"could have jurisdiction of over"},{"time":"1067.34","type":"text","text":"a single family's legal issues."},{"time":"1069.376","type":"text","text":"The divorce proceedings handled"},{"time":"1071.277","type":"text","text":"in supreme court, the child"},{"time":"1072.812","type":"text","text":"custody and visitation"},{"time":"1074.814","type":"text","text":"proceedings handled in the"},{"time":"1077.873","type":"text","text":"family court, and if there are"},{"time":"1078.251","type":"text","text":"allegations of domestic"},{"time":"1079.986","type":"text","text":"violence, criminal allegations,"},{"time":"1081.388","type":"text","text":"those would be handled in the"},{"time":"1082.722","type":"text","text":"criminal court."},{"time":"1085.624","type":"text","text":"And what we tried to do was to"},{"time":"1088.929","type":"text","text":"match those cases up through our"},{"time":"1092.981","type":"text","text":"computer system, our case"},{"time":"1095.035","type":"text","text":"management system."},{"time":"1096.67","type":"text","text":"And want you quantify how many"},{"time":"1098.271","type":"text","text":"cases that would be that are not"},{"time":"1099.673","type":"text","text":"now being handled before one"},{"time":"1101.107","type":"text","text":"judge and one court, that are"},{"time":"1104.544","type":"text","text":"being handled in either two or"},{"time":"1107.48","type":"text","text":"possibly three courts, and to"},{"time":"1109.916","type":"text","text":"consolidate those cases and"},{"time":"1111.718","type":"text","text":"calculate how many court"},{"time":"1113.152","type":"text","text":"appearances would be saved and"},{"time":"1114.754","type":"text","text":"translate that into how many"},{"time":"1117.591","type":"text","text":"litigant hours would be saved."},{"time":"1119.626","type":"text","text":"And that's basically the"},{"time":"1128.675","type":"text","text":"analysis that was conducted."},{"time":"1128.733","type":"text","text":"It builds on assumptions that"},{"time":"1131.79","type":"text","text":"were made by the prior study in"},{"time":"1131.854","type":"text","text":"2007 and the prior study before"},{"time":"1131.912","type":"text","text":"that in 2002."},{"time":"1132.839","type":"text","text":"And we do have fewer cases in"},{"time":"1135.441","type":"text","text":"the court system now than we did"},{"time":"1137.177","type":"text","text":"ten years ago."},{"time":"1139.513","type":"text","text":"There are fewer filings, annual"},{"time":"1139.813","type":"text","text":"filings."},{"time":"1141.748","type":"text","text":"Still over 3 million but fewer"},{"time":"1142.649","type":"text","text":"than there were then."},{"time":"1144.184","type":"text","text":"And we've also -- and we talked"},{"time":"1147.821","type":"text","text":"about this last week -- we've"},{"time":"1149.322","type":"text","text":"taken administrative steps to"},{"time":"1151.858","type":"text","text":"try to consolidate cases,"},{"time":"1154.36","type":"text","text":"including in the divorce, child"},{"time":"1156.296","type":"text","text":"custody, domestic violence area,"},{"time":"1160.568","type":"text","text":"and we have had some success in"},{"time":"1162.436","type":"text","text":"collapsing those cases, you"},{"time":"1163.57","type":"text","text":"know, in assigning those cases"},{"time":"1166.607","type":"text","text":"to one judge and one court."},{"time":"1168.108","type":"text","text":"So the fewer court appearances"},{"time":"1170.844","type":"text","text":"that we came up with this year"},{"time":"1173.347","type":"text","text":"is a lower number than in prior"},{"time":"1174.781","type":"text","text":"years, and the hours saved"},{"time":"1176.55","type":"text","text":"obviously was a lower number as"},{"time":"1178.118","type":"text","text":"well as a result of that."},{"time":"1179.52","type":"text","text":"But still, hundreds and hundreds"},{"time":"1182.355","type":"text","text":"of thousands of fewer court"},{"time":"1184.191","type":"text","text":"appearances, millions of hours"},{"time":"1187.528","type":"text","text":"saved for litigants, and there"},{"time":"1190.264","type":"text","text":"is certainly a monetary savings"},{"time":"1191.532","type":"text","text":"that results from that, although"},{"time":"1194.201","type":"text","text":"we have not tried to quantify"},{"time":"1194.367","type":"text","text":"it."},{"time":"1197.505","type":"text","text":">> and is that the difference,"},{"time":"1198.906","type":"text","text":"judge, between the dunn"},{"time":"1203.477","type":"text","text":"commisson report that showed a"},{"time":"1204.411","type":"text","text":"half billion dollars worth of"},{"time":"1205.513","type":"text","text":"annual savings that you didn't"},{"time":"1209.65","type":"text","text":"attempt to quantify all of the"},{"time":"1211.285","type":"text","text":"those saved hours and court"},{"time":"1211.919","type":"text","text":"appearances in part?"},{"time":"1218.759","type":"text","text":">> yes, yes>> thank you."},{"time":"1219.293","type":"text","text":">> okay."},{"time":"1222.356","type":"text","text":"I know you said that the primary"},{"time":"1223.764","type":"text","text":"purpose of this was not"},{"time":"1224.665","type":"text","text":"necessarily focus on the issue"},{"time":"1226.5","type":"text","text":"of diversity, although that"},{"time":"1227.301","type":"text","text":"obviously is something you"},{"time":"1230.237","type":"text","text":"consider a very important issue,"},{"time":"1233","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101237","guid":"81a7d8e7-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz"},{"time":"1234.975","type":"text","text":"but it was discussed to a"},{"time":"1235.976","type":"text","text":"significant amount of time last"},{"time":"1237.478","type":"text","text":"week, and I just wanted to"},{"time":"1239.414","type":"text","text":"follow up on something, and I"},{"time":"1242.65","type":"text","text":"alluded to this last week."},{"time":"1246.988","type":"text","text":"The third and fourth"},{"time":"1248.689","type":"text","text":"departments, their record with"},{"time":"1250.424","type":"text","text":"respect to diversity, it seems"},{"time":"1252.56","type":"text","text":"to me, is very much less than"},{"time":"1255.162","type":"text","text":"what is desirable, and a good"},{"time":"1257.198","type":"text","text":"portion of the blame for that"},{"time":"1261.435","type":"text","text":"goes to the process and the size"},{"time":"1263.437","type":"text","text":"of the judicial districts"},{"time":"1263.871","type":"text","text":"themselves."},{"time":"1265.672","type":"text","text":"Now, I haven't discussed this"},{"time":"1267.408","type":"text","text":"with people from those areas, so"},{"time":"1271.462","type":"text","text":"I'm not advocating for this, but"},{"time":"1273.347","type":"text","text":"I think it's something worth"},{"time":"1274.582","type":"text","text":"considering, and that is there"},{"time":"1276.184","type":"text","text":"doesn't seem to be any reason to"},{"time":"1277.618","type":"text","text":"me why, and I guess it would be"},{"time":"1280.754","type":"text","text":"the legislature, why we can't"},{"time":"1282.256","type":"text","text":"create additional judicial"},{"time":"1284.392","type":"text","text":"districts, smaller ones, perhaps"},{"time":"1286.227","type":"text","text":"centered around buffalo or"},{"time":"1288.463","type":"text","text":"rochester or albany, for"},{"time":"1291.666","type":"text","text":"example, that would undoubtedly"},{"time":"1294.702","type":"text","text":"create more diversity among all"},{"time":"1295.503","type":"text","text":"the supreme court justices such"},{"time":"1297.939","type":"text","text":"that the potential pool of"},{"time":"1299.274","type":"text","text":"people who could be selected to"},{"time":"1300.875","type":"text","text":"the appellate division would"},{"time":"1303.11","type":"text","text":"come from a more diverse group."},{"time":"1305.646","type":"text","text":"As you know, in the 3rd"},{"time":"1308.349","type":"text","text":"department they actually had to"},{"time":"1311.385","type":"text","text":"ask a bronx justice, they had to"},{"time":"1312.52","type":"text","text":"appoint a bronx justice to the"},{"time":"1313.621","type":"text","text":"3rd department in order to"},{"time":"1317.959","type":"text","text":"create even the it videoest bit"},{"time":"1319.594","type":"text","text":"of diversity there, and it is a"},{"time":"1320.595","type":"text","text":"serious issue which I think"},{"time":"1321.729","type":"text","text":"ought to be dealt with in"},{"time":"1322.73","type":"text","text":"conjunction with this."},{"time":"1324.232","type":"text","text":"I was just wondering if you had"},{"time":"1325.366","type":"text","text":"any thoughts on that."},{"time":"1327.469","type":"text","text":"Since I've been in the"},{"time":"1331.306","type":"text","text":"legislature, we created a 13th"},{"time":"1332.908","type":"text","text":"judicial district in signed, a"},{"time":"1334.142","type":"text","text":"borough which has a population"},{"time":"1335.577","type":"text","text":"I'm note sure but somewhere in"},{"time":"1338.48","type":"text","text":"the half a million people range,"},{"time":"1341.116","type":"text","text":"in statten eiland, and so the"},{"time":"1342.05","type":"text","text":"districts don't necessarily have"},{"time":"1344.285","type":"text","text":"to be a million, a million and a"},{"time":"1345.754","type":"text","text":"half or two million."},{"time":"1346.688","type":"text","text":"Do you have any thoughts oh"},{"time":"1346.888","type":"text","text":"that?"},{"time":"1350.825","type":"text","text":">> if you're talking about"},{"time":"1351.959","type":"text","text":"redistricting, which is"},{"time":"1352.827","type":"text","text":"something that the legislature"},{"time":"1355.997","type":"text","text":"has expertise in doing in a"},{"time":"1357.099","type":"text","text":"separate arena, obviously."},{"time":"1360.168","type":"text","text":">> we do."},{"time":"1362.07","type":"text","text":">> it's certainly something"},{"time":"1363.038","type":"text","text":"worth along at."},{"time":"1366.408","type":"text","text":"It's not something that we have"},{"time":"1367.208","type":"text","text":"considered, creating more"},{"time":"1369.31","type":"text","text":"judicial districts."},{"time":"1372.047","type":"text","text":"But as I said, it's certainly"},{"time":"1372.981","type":"text","text":"something that you might want to"},{"time":"1373.915","type":"text","text":"look at."},{"time":"1376.969","type":"text","text":"Of course, doing that alone"},{"time":"1377.719","type":"text","text":"wouldn't make the courts more"},{"time":"1378.486","type":"text","text":"efficient."},{"time":"1380.455","type":"text","text":"It would possibly help with"},{"time":"1383.892","type":"text","text":"judicial diversity, important"},{"time":"1385.727","type":"text","text":"issue tat that is, but it would"},{"time":"1387.629","type":"text","text":"not in any way that I can"},{"time":"1390.566","type":"text","text":"understand address the issue of"},{"time":"1392.167","type":"text","text":"court efficiency."},{"time":"1394.502","type":"text","text":">> well, maybe or maybe not."},{"time":"1398.34","type":"text","text":"For example, the likelihood of"},{"time":"1401.376","type":"text","text":"judges being elected from the"},{"time":"1402.677","type":"text","text":"community, let's say the"},{"time":"1404.913","type":"text","text":"community of buffalo, would"},{"time":"1406.014","type":"text","text":"increase significantly if that"},{"time":"1408.383","type":"text","text":"was the judicial district as"},{"time":"1410.285","type":"text","text":"opposed to one of those cities"},{"time":"1413.689","type":"text","text":"being part of a larger district"},{"time":"1414.623","type":"text","text":"where -- I don't have any data"},{"time":"1415.791","type":"text","text":"so I don't know, you probably"},{"time":"1417.225","type":"text","text":"know the answer, I don't -- but"},{"time":"1419.761","type":"text","text":"I would guess that it's quite"},{"time":"1421.964","type":"text","text":"likely that the judges that are"},{"time":"1425.633","type":"text","text":"elected in those larger judicial"},{"time":"1427.068","type":"text","text":"districts, more often than not,"},{"time":"1428.604","type":"text","text":"are not from those communities."},{"time":"1429.634","type":"text","text":">> absolutely."},{"time":"1429.699","type":"text","text":"That's the point."},{"time":"1431.139","type":"text","text":">> it's the political dynamics."},{"time":"1433.108","type":"text","text":">> and that's the point, you're"},{"time":"1433.508","type":"text","text":"absolutely right."},{"time":"1437.078","type":"text","text":"No, all I was saying was, I"},{"time":"1438.38","type":"text","text":"wasn't suggesting that might not"},{"time":"1440.081","type":"text","text":"help with judicial diversity."},{"time":"1442.418","type":"text","text":"It May well help with judicial"},{"time":"1442.684","type":"text","text":"diversity."},{"time":"1445.621","type":"text","text":"When I was saying it doesn't"},{"time":"1447.889","type":"text","text":"address the larger issue of"},{"time":"1448.991","type":"text","text":"inefficiencies of the existing"},{"time":"1449.892","type":"text","text":"trial court sem that we have"},{"time":"1451.526","type":"text","text":"here in new york."},{"time":"1454.229","type":"text","text":"It's addressing one issue be."},{"time":"1456.265","type":"text","text":"We think our proposal will"},{"time":"1457.366","type":"text","text":"address, particularly upstate,"},{"time":"1459.501","type":"text","text":"the diversity, it will help with"},{"time":"1461.704","type":"text","text":"the diversity issue, and you'll"},{"time":"1462.638","type":"text","text":"hear further testimony about it"},{"time":"1464.873","type":"text","text":"this morning, but obviously we"},{"time":"1467.075","type":"text","text":"also feel that it would make the"},{"time":"1470.913","type":"text","text":"courts much more efficient."},{"time":"1474.617","type":"text","text":">> well, under the proposal,"},{"time":"1476.986","type":"text","text":"court of claims judges would"},{"time":"1478.553","type":"text","text":"become supremes, right?"},{"time":"1479.889","type":"text","text":">> yes."},{"time":"1482.557","type":"text","text":">> what's the record in terms of"},{"time":"1485.908","type":"text","text":"diversity of those judges in the"},{"time":"1488.197","type":"text","text":"3rd and 4th departments?"},{"time":"1490.732","type":"text","text":"It's up to the governor who he"},{"time":"1492.968","type":"text","text":"appoints."},{"time":"1496.572","type":"text","text":"You all the breakdown in detail"},{"time":"1497.573","type":"text","text":"judicial diversity data, and"},{"time":"1499.008","type":"text","text":"we'll have that soon."},{"time":"1502.044","type":"text","text":"We have a lot of data."},{"time":"1503.445","type":"text","text":"We actually, following last"},{"time":"1505.18","type":"text","text":"week's hearing, we've gotten a"},{"time":"1506.782","type":"text","text":"number of requests for the"},{"time":"1508.517","type":"text","text":"judicial diversity data, and we"},{"time":"1511.754","type":"text","text":"will have that very soon, and we"},{"time":"1513.255","type":"text","text":"just want to make sure it's"},{"time":"1514.257","type":"text","text":"accurate because a lot of this"},{"time":"1516.392","type":"text","text":"information is self-reporting so"},{"time":"1519.061","type":"text","text":"we need to do follow-up."},{"time":"1521.23","type":"text","text":"Wygant give it data that's not"},{"time":"1522.198","type":"text","text":"accurate."},{"time":"1523.265","type":"text","text":"But -- we didn't want to give"},{"time":"1524.967","type":"text","text":"out data that's not accurate."},{"time":"1527.403","type":"text","text":"I'm not sure the diversity"},{"time":"1528.805","type":"text","text":"breakdown have judges that sit"},{"time":"1530.473","type":"text","text":"in the court of claims upstate,"},{"time":"1532.675","type":"text","text":"I'm not sure what the diversity"},{"time":"1533.276","type":"text","text":"breakdown is."},{"time":"1534.377","type":"text","text":"But I can tell you because you"},{"time":"1535.912","type":"text","text":"asked me this question last"},{"time":"1538.014","type":"text","text":"week, and I can tell you that"},{"time":"1540.249","type":"text","text":"the statewide -- and I"},{"time":"1541.183","type":"text","text":"acknowledged that the court of"},{"time":"1542.285","type":"text","text":"claims is not as diverse a court"},{"time":"1546.422","type":"text","text":"as it should be -- but statewide"},{"time":"1549.959","type":"text","text":"as opposed to upstate, statewide"},{"time":"1552.528","type":"text","text":"between 19 and 20 percent of the"},{"time":"1553.596","type":"text","text":"court of claims judges are"},{"time":"1556.231","type":"text","text":"judges of color."},{"time":"1556.933","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"1560.87","type":"text","text":">> I think 35% are women, 65%"},{"time":"1561.271","type":"text","text":"men."},{"time":"1564.074","type":"text","text":"Slightly under 20% judges of"},{"time":"1564.306","type":"text","text":"color."},{"time":"1565.508","type":"text","text":"So needs improvement."},{"time":"1566.709","type":"text","text":">> okay."},{"time":"1568.711","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"1575.919","type":"text","text":">> senator o'mara."},{"time":"1579.889","type":"text","text":"Assemblymember."},{"time":"1581.157","type":"text","text":">> good morning, judge."},{"time":"1581.691","type":"text","text":">> good morning."},{"time":"1586.096","type":"text","text":">> I just want to ask what will"},{"time":"1588.664","type":"text","text":"be the impact, we'll say, on"},{"time":"1591.267","type":"text","text":"some of the specialty courts,"},{"time":"1592.768","type":"text","text":"about the surrogate's court,"},{"time":"1596.824","type":"text","text":"will there be any change in the"},{"time":"1596.886","type":"text","text":"operation of the surrogate's"},{"time":"1596.946","type":"text","text":"court or the judge for the"},{"time":"1597.907","type":"text","text":"surrogate that's elected to that"},{"time":"1598.141","type":"text","text":"office?"},{"time":"1600.843","type":"text","text":">> well, under our proposal"},{"time":"1602.278","type":"text","text":"surrogate's court, there would"},{"time":"1603.679","type":"text","text":"be four courts that would be"},{"time":"1605.782","type":"text","text":"merged into the existing supreme"},{"time":"1608.818","type":"text","text":"court resulting in an enlarged"},{"time":"1610.82","type":"text","text":"and consolidated supreme court."},{"time":"1612.055","type":"text","text":"The county courts, which, of"},{"time":"1613.756","type":"text","text":"course, you have in nassau, they"},{"time":"1616.393","type":"text","text":"handle felony cases, the court"},{"time":"1619.529","type":"text","text":"of claims, which we talked about"},{"time":"1621.464","type":"text","text":"court, the family court would be"},{"time":"1623.499","type":"text","text":"merged into the supreme court,"},{"time":"1625.769","type":"text","text":"and the surrogate's court would"},{"time":"1628.238","type":"text","text":"be merged into the supreme"},{"time":"1629.773","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"1631.141","type":"text","text":"But within this consolidated"},{"time":"1633.577","type":"text","text":"enlarged supreme court, we would"},{"time":"1635.512","type":"text","text":"not ignore judicial expertise"},{"time":"1637.514","type":"text","text":"and experience, and we would"},{"time":"1640.55","type":"text","text":"have establish divisions within"},{"time":"1642.085","type":"text","text":"the supreme court which would"},{"time":"1644.888","type":"text","text":"include undoubtedly a probate"},{"time":"1647.223","type":"text","text":"division, and if we had a judge"},{"time":"1649.859","type":"text","text":"or judges with particular"},{"time":"1651.794","type":"text","text":"expertise in trust in the"},{"time":"1652.896","type":"text","text":"state's practice, which is not"},{"time":"1655.198","type":"text","text":"always the case with judges who"},{"time":"1656.833","type":"text","text":"get elected as surrogate, by the"},{"time":"1658.368","type":"text","text":"way, and I think we talked about"},{"time":"1660.07","type":"text","text":"that last week, but, of course,"},{"time":"1663.106","type":"text","text":"we would take advantage of the"},{"time":"1665.141","type":"text","text":"individual expertise and"},{"time":"1666.643","type":"text","text":"experience of judges, and we"},{"time":"1669.479","type":"text","text":"would not be getting rid of"},{"time":"1669.847","type":"text","text":"specialization."},{"time":"1670.98","type":"text","text":"That wouldn't make any sense."},{"time":"1673.05","type":"text","text":"But what we would have, what we"},{"time":"1675.218","type":"text","text":"don't have now is we would have"},{"time":"1677.821","type":"text","text":"all the judges in this enlarged"},{"time":"1680.891","type":"text","text":"supreme court would have"},{"time":"1682.693","type":"text","text":"jurisdiction and would, to the"},{"time":"1684.528","type":"text","text":"extent that was necessary,"},{"time":"1687.586","type":"text","text":"available to handle all the"},{"time":"1688.398","type":"text","text":"cases that that are filed in"},{"time":"1692.102","type":"text","text":"supreme court, which would"},{"time":"1693.937","type":"text","text":"include, you know, the supreme"},{"time":"1695.639","type":"text","text":"civil cases that we have now,"},{"time":"1699.876","type":"text","text":"family court cases, felony"},{"time":"1702.313","type":"text","text":"cases, what are now surrogate's"},{"time":"1703.514","type":"text","text":"court cases."},{"time":"1705.049","type":"text","text":"All the judges would be"},{"time":"1706.55","type":"text","text":"available, if necessary, to"},{"time":"1710.488","type":"text","text":"handle all of those cases."},{"time":"1712.622","type":"text","text":"So if we had -- and one of the"},{"time":"1714.458","type":"text","text":"examples I used, and I'm sure"},{"time":"1715.759","type":"text","text":"you're familiar with this from"},{"time":"1718.195","type":"text","text":"long island, we had a"},{"time":"1721.249","type":"text","text":"foreclosure crisis on long"},{"time":"1721.305","type":"text","text":"island."},{"time":"1721.368","type":"text","text":">> right."},{"time":"1722.633","type":"text","text":">> and an enormous surge in the"},{"time":"1724.368","type":"text","text":"filing of foreclosure cases."},{"time":"1726.37","type":"text","text":"This started over a decade ago."},{"time":"1729.106","type":"text","text":"And I can tell you today over a"},{"time":"1733.344","type":"text","text":"decade later we're still digging"},{"time":"1735.279","type":"text","text":"ourselves out of that mess that"},{"time":"1737.081","type":"text","text":"resulted from that."},{"time":"1739.016","type":"text","text":"Where we didn't have enough"},{"time":"1742.753","type":"text","text":"judges to easily and quickly"},{"time":"1743.888","type":"text","text":"assign to foreclosure cases."},{"time":"1744.989","type":"text","text":"And there are many other"},{"time":"1748.826","type":"text","text":"examples of that."},{"time":"1750.427","type":"text","text":"But to answer your question,"},{"time":"1752.262","type":"text","text":"yes, the surrogate's court would"},{"time":"1754.364","type":"text","text":"be abolished under our proposal,"},{"time":"1757.701","type":"text","text":"and those cases would be merge"},{"time":"1759.303","type":"text","text":"into supreme court, and supreme"},{"time":"1760.838","type":"text","text":"court justices would handle the"},{"time":"1762.84","type":"text","text":"cases now handled by the"},{"time":"1763.274","type":"text","text":"surrogate's court."},{"time":"1765.776","type":"text","text":">> and the reason for my"},{"time":"1767.311","type":"text","text":"question was, since I do myself,"},{"time":"1768.745","type":"text","text":"I have a lot of experience in"},{"time":"1771.515","type":"text","text":"the surrogate's court, is that,"},{"time":"1772.95","type":"text","text":"you know, that -- first of all"},{"time":"1774.452","type":"text","text":"websites a court of special"},{"time":"1775.153","type":"text","text":"procedure, so everything that"},{"time":"1777.288","type":"text","text":"goes on there is different, so"},{"time":"1779.423","type":"text","text":"accounting is one proceeding,"},{"time":"1780.724","type":"text","text":"guardianship is another"},{"time":"1781.96","type":"text","text":"proceeding, probate is another"},{"time":"1784.061","type":"text","text":"proceeding, but the judges there"},{"time":"1785.395","type":"text","text":"acquire a lot of knowledge and"},{"time":"1786.897","type":"text","text":"their staff is hyper"},{"time":"1787.198","type":"text","text":"specialized."},{"time":"1790.257","type":"text","text":"You really can't mix that staff"},{"time":"1792.37","type":"text","text":"with staff in any other court"},{"time":"1792.636","type":"text","text":"building."},{"time":"1795.005","type":"text","text":"And you take your guardianship"},{"time":"1796.306","type":"text","text":"proceedings that go on."},{"time":"1797.809","type":"text","text":"They're for life."},{"time":"1799.443","type":"text","text":"Those are guardianship"},{"time":"1802.5","type":"text","text":"proceedings are for life and"},{"time":"1802.552","type":"text","text":"they're unique to the judge."},{"time":"1804.381","type":"text","text":"The judge maintains control over"},{"time":"1806.017","type":"text","text":"that for the years he's in"},{"time":"1807.418","type":"text","text":"office andel of the surrogates"},{"time":"1809.253","type":"text","text":"in office like outside, within"},{"time":"1811.355","type":"text","text":"new york city a surrogate sits"},{"time":"1812.089","type":"text","text":"14 years."},{"time":"1813.891","type":"text","text":"Outside they sit for ten years."},{"time":"1815.86","type":"text","text":"And those cases am could back"},{"time":"1816","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101238","guid":"81aa5726-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblyman Michael Montesano"},{"time":"1816.394","type":"text","text":"constantly for inch issues"},{"time":"1817.228","type":"text","text":"before those judges."},{"time":"1819.563","type":"text","text":"When you start moving judges"},{"time":"1821.766","type":"text","text":"around to handle that situation,"},{"time":"1824.602","type":"text","text":"I mean, you lose that"},{"time":"1826.337","type":"text","text":"continuity in the case and even"},{"time":"1827.171","type":"text","text":"with the staff."},{"time":"1828.94","type":"text","text":"Do you envision moving the staff"},{"time":"1829.774","type":"text","text":"around between the courts?"},{"time":"1832.877","type":"text","text":">> well, the example you raised,"},{"time":"1834.312","type":"text","text":"surrogate's court, I agree with"},{"time":"1835.113","type":"text","text":"you p."},{"time":"1836.847","type":"text","text":"Let me just say generally our"},{"time":"1838.683","type":"text","text":"staff across the state is the"},{"time":"1840.285","type":"text","text":"backbone of court system and we"},{"time":"1842.12","type":"text","text":"couldn't function without our"},{"time":"1843.721","type":"text","text":"staff, who are great."},{"time":"1845.222","type":"text","text":"That's particularly so in"},{"time":"1846.657","type":"text","text":"surrogate's court."},{"time":"1848.059","type":"text","text":"It's a highly specialized area"},{"time":"1849.16","type":"text","text":"of practice."},{"time":"1850.661","type":"text","text":"The staff do a lot of the work"},{"time":"1852.73","type":"text","text":"that goes on in surrogate's"},{"time":"1852.93","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"1856.568","type":"text","text":"Most of the cases are"},{"time":"1858.97","type":"text","text":"uncontested, relatively, one"},{"time":"1860.905","type":"text","text":"under 10% of the cases I think"},{"time":"1862.206","type":"text","text":"are actually contested."},{"time":"1864.242","type":"text","text":"The back office staff and I know"},{"time":"1865.176","type":"text","text":"departments in different areas,"},{"time":"1867.078","type":"text","text":"of course, we would not"},{"time":"1869.313","type":"text","text":"eliminate that, we would take"},{"time":"1870.882","type":"text","text":"advantage of that, and that"},{"time":"1872.45","type":"text","text":"would be needed, specialized"},{"time":"1873.885","type":"text","text":"staff undoubtedly would be"},{"time":"1876.655","type":"text","text":"needed to handle the very"},{"time":"1878.389","type":"text","text":"specialized area of probate"},{"time":"1879.491","type":"text","text":"cases, trust in the state's"},{"time":"1880.025","type":"text","text":"matters."},{"time":"1883.628","type":"text","text":"But what we could do is if we"},{"time":"1886.664","type":"text","text":"needed more than one judge to"},{"time":"1888.6","type":"text","text":"handle trusts in the state's"},{"time":"1889.935","type":"text","text":"cases, we would have maximum"},{"time":"1890.001","type":"text","text":"-"},{"time":"1890.935","type":"text","text":"flexibility to be able to do"},{"time":"1893.171","type":"text","text":"that, to sign more than one"},{"time":"1893.371","type":"text","text":"judge."},{"time":"1895.274","type":"text","text":"Or, and I think this would be"},{"time":"1897.809","type":"text","text":"true in nassau, but in a smaller"},{"time":"1899.243","type":"text","text":"county, maybe it would be a"},{"time":"1901.479","type":"text","text":"part-time assignment for a judge"},{"time":"1903.314","type":"text","text":"surrogate who could spend time"},{"time":"1906.25","type":"text","text":"on family court cases as well."},{"time":"1909.554","type":"text","text":"So the whole purpose of this is"},{"time":"1914.559","type":"text","text":"to build in more flexibility, to"},{"time":"1917.607","type":"text","text":"allow for more efficiency in the"},{"time":"1918.297","type":"text","text":"assignment of resources in"},{"time":"1918.797","type":"text","text":"particular judges."},{"time":"1921.166","type":"text","text":">> and just the last question."},{"time":"1923.635","type":"text","text":"As far as nassau and suffolk is"},{"time":"1924.698","type":"text","text":"concerned, what happens to the"},{"time":"1927.072","type":"text","text":"district court structure under"},{"time":"1928.64","type":"text","text":"this proposal, if anything?"},{"time":"1931.643","type":"text","text":">> district court judges would"},{"time":"1934.68","type":"text","text":"become judges in a new statewide"},{"time":"1935.781","type":"text","text":"municipal court which would have"},{"time":"1937.615","type":"text","text":"lower criminal and lower civil"},{"time":"1937.95","type":"text","text":"jurisdiction."},{"time":"1939.617","type":"text","text":">> and that would be statewide"},{"time":"1942.67","type":"text","text":"or is it just going to be"},{"time":"1942.72","type":"text","text":"uniquely --"},{"time":"1943.155","type":"text","text":">> statewide."},{"time":"1945.29","type":"text","text":"The new municipal court would"},{"time":"1946.758","type":"text","text":"include the district courts on"},{"time":"1948.627","type":"text","text":"long island, the new york city"},{"time":"1949.828","type":"text","text":"criminal court, which is the"},{"time":"1951.864","type":"text","text":"lower criminal court in the"},{"time":"1954.299","type":"text","text":"city, and new york city civil"},{"time":"1955.433","type":"text","text":"court, the lower civil court in"},{"time":"1956.902","type":"text","text":"the city, and then the city"},{"time":"1959.953","type":"text","text":"courts outside of new york city"},{"time":"1961.039","type":"text","text":"would all be merged into a new"},{"time":"1962.174","type":"text","text":"statewide municipal court with"},{"time":"1964.176","type":"text","text":"lower civil and lower criminal"},{"time":"1964.509","type":"text","text":"jurisdiction."},{"time":"1964.843","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"1967.646","type":"text","text":"Thank you, Mr. Chairman."},{"time":"1977.923","type":"text","text":">> in terms of -- well, last"},{"time":"1981.46","type":"text","text":"week we heard about the bronx"},{"time":"1982.461","type":"text","text":"consolidation plan and there was"},{"time":"1984.096","type":"text","text":"some criticism that this was"},{"time":"1987.699","type":"text","text":"basically a different version of"},{"time":"1989.501","type":"text","text":"that which was described as"},{"time":"1990.468","type":"text","text":"being unsuccessful."},{"time":"1992.171","type":"text","text":"Do you have any response to"},{"time":"1993.264","type":"text","text":"that?"},{"time":"1997.509","type":"text","text":">> first of all, that was an"},{"time":"1998.811","type":"text","text":"interesting -- that's probably"},{"time":"2001.213","type":"text","text":"not the right word to use"},{"time":"2002.681","type":"text","text":"becauses what not air successful"},{"time":"2003.682","type":"text","text":"program, but it was completely"},{"time":"2005.084","type":"text","text":"differently from this."},{"time":"2008.721","type":"text","text":"It was an experiment to have"},{"time":"2011.156","type":"text","text":"judges who sit on the criminal"},{"time":"2013.158","type":"text","text":"side in its bronx handle both"},{"time":"2016.996","type":"text","text":"felonies and misdemeanor cases."},{"time":"2019.932","type":"text","text":"And it was not a success."},{"time":"2021.767","type":"text","text":"And there are a lot of reasons"},{"time":"2025.824","type":"text","text":"for that, having to do with a"},{"time":"2029.442","type":"text","text":"surge in misdemeanor filings"},{"time":"2032.444","type":"text","text":"during that period of time,"},{"time":"2033.478","type":"text","text":"insufficient resources in the"},{"time":"2039.518","type":"text","text":"courts, a lot of judges who were"},{"time":"2042.054","type":"text","text":"not onboard with the idea to"},{"time":"2046.105","type":"text","text":"begin with, and there were some"},{"time":"2046.169","type":"text","text":"benefits that resulted from it,"},{"time":"2047.926","type":"text","text":"but overall it was not a"},{"time":"2048.528","type":"text","text":"success."},{"time":"2050.363","type":"text","text":"But we're not proposing that"},{"time":"2051.764","type":"text","text":"misdemeanors and felonies be"},{"time":"2054.4","type":"text","text":"merged into one court in this"},{"time":"2055.201","type":"text","text":"proposal."},{"time":"2056.869","type":"text","text":"In fact, I'm not aware that any"},{"time":"2059.439","type":"text","text":"of the proposals in the past"},{"time":"2062.674","type":"text","text":"that were offered by prior chief"},{"time":"2063.776","type":"text","text":"judges ever proposed that."},{"time":"2067.213","type":"text","text":"It was sort of a separate"},{"time":"2068.013","type":"text","text":"experiment."},{"time":"2069.015","type":"text","text":"The district attorney at the"},{"time":"2071.483","type":"text","text":"time was supportive of doing it."},{"time":"2074.721","type":"text","text":"And there was actually a report"},{"time":"2077.223","type":"text","text":"written on it a number of years"},{"time":"2078.457","type":"text","text":"ago that sort of analyzed what"},{"time":"2079.759","type":"text","text":"was going on."},{"time":"2087.366","type":"text","text":"And it was not a success."},{"time":"2090.27","type":"text","text":"But I don't think in any way at"},{"time":"2093.311","type":"text","text":"all it's an example or an"},{"time":"2094.173","type":"text","text":"analogy to what's being proposed"},{"time":"2094.373","type":"text","text":"here."},{"time":"2096.643","type":"text","text":">> speaking of judicial"},{"time":"2099.045","type":"text","text":"resistance, we heard last week"},{"time":"2100.48","type":"text","text":"from the supreme court justices"},{"time":"2100.78","type":"text","text":"association."},{"time":"2103.283","type":"text","text":"They have objections to the"},{"time":"2103.616","type":"text","text":"plan."},{"time":"2106.319","type":"text","text":"Is your goal to try to win them"},{"time":"2111.291","type":"text","text":"over with changes to the plan?"},{"time":"2114.027","type":"text","text":"And if so, what might you have"},{"time":"2116.395","type":"text","text":"in mind in that regard?"},{"time":"2119.099","type":"text","text":">> well, it's a good question."},{"time":"2121.301","type":"text","text":"I think there was certainly --"},{"time":"2122.802","type":"text","text":"and there is their has been"},{"time":"2125.539","type":"text","text":"historically and there still is"},{"time":"2127.54","type":"text","text":"today criticism of the plan on"},{"time":"2129.676","type":"text","text":"the part of some judicial"},{"time":"2131.778","type":"text","text":"groups, particularly the supreme"},{"time":"2134.214","type":"text","text":"court justices association, and"},{"time":"2136.349","type":"text","text":"I heard criticism last week."},{"time":"2138.018","type":"text","text":"By the way, I met with them and"},{"time":"2139.386","type":"text","text":"talked with them and want to"},{"time":"2139.986","type":"text","text":"meet with them."},{"time":"2141.421","type":"text","text":"We have a good relationship."},{"time":"2145.258","type":"text","text":"I think there's mutual respect"},{"time":"2148.294","type":"text","text":"between court administration and"},{"time":"2149.829","type":"text","text":"the state supreme court justices"},{"time":"2150.43","type":"text","text":"association, and that will"},{"time":"2152.065","type":"text","text":"certainly continue."},{"time":"2154.6","type":"text","text":"Even if there's a disagreement"},{"time":"2162.509","type":"text","text":"on this proposal here"},{"time":"2163.71","type":"text","text":"on a heard a lot of criticism"},{"time":"2165.512","type":"text","text":"but I didn't hear if in any"},{"time":"2166.512","type":"text","text":"alternative suggestion."},{"time":"2167.947","type":"text","text":"And the chief judge said this"},{"time":"2168.848","type":"text","text":"when thi was pronounced."},{"time":"2170.65","type":"text","text":"This was a draft proposal."},{"time":"2172.686","type":"text","text":"We wanted to put something out"},{"time":"2173.987","type":"text","text":"tow sort of focus discussion on"},{"time":"2175.422","type":"text","text":"a particular proposal."},{"time":"2177.824","type":"text","text":"But we said from the very start,"},{"time":"2181.662","type":"text","text":"nothing is carved in stone, and"},{"time":"2182.762","type":"text","text":"undoubtedly there will be good"},{"time":"2183.863","type":"text","text":"suggestions and there will be"},{"time":"2184.097","type":"text","text":"changes."},{"time":"2187.234","type":"text","text":"I'd be shocked if this thing"},{"time":"2188.636","type":"text","text":"sailed through without any"},{"time":"2188.869","type":"text","text":"changes."},{"time":"2191.071","type":"text","text":"We don't expect that to happen."},{"time":"2192.706","type":"text","text":"We expect that there will be"},{"time":"2194.307","type":"text","text":"changes, and we see this as kind"},{"time":"2196.51","type":"text","text":"of the beginning of the process."},{"time":"2198.045","type":"text","text":"And although we would very much"},{"time":"2200.147","type":"text","text":"like to see first passage, it's"},{"time":"2201.882","type":"text","text":"critical that there be first"},{"time":"2203.683","type":"text","text":"passage in the upcoming"},{"time":"2205.418","type":"text","text":"legislative session, but there's"},{"time":"2207.721","type":"text","text":"plenty of time and inclination"},{"time":"2208.756","type":"text","text":"to make changes and"},{"time":"2210.124","type":"text","text":"improvements, and we'd like to"},{"time":"2211.058","type":"text","text":"hear them."},{"time":"2213.927","type":"text","text":"I didn't really hear any"},{"time":"2214.828","type":"text","text":"alternative suggestions or"},{"time":"2216.73","type":"text","text":"proposals last week, but"},{"time":"2218.132","type":"text","text":"hopefully we will hear some."},{"time":"2220.467","type":"text","text":"And, yes, our goal would be to"},{"time":"2221.802","type":"text","text":"get all of the judicial"},{"time":"2224.004","type":"text","text":"associations onboard, including"},{"time":"2227.407","type":"text","text":"the supreme court justices."},{"time":"2231.078","type":"text","text":">> thank you very much."},{"time":"2233.413","type":"text","text":"Particularly for your"},{"time":"2234.315","type":"text","text":"explanation of the cost."},{"time":"2237.051","type":"text","text":"I was under the impression that"},{"time":"2238.752","type":"text","text":"this proposal was going save the"},{"time":"2239.987","type":"text","text":"state money, and I think you"},{"time":"2241.288","type":"text","text":"have dispelled that, and thank"},{"time":"2243.624","type":"text","text":"you for your candor in that"},{"time":"2244.125","type":"text","text":"regard."},{"time":"2246.159","type":"text","text":"My understanding is this"},{"time":"2247","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101239","guid":"81ad2015-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblymember Phillip Steck"},{"time":"2248.862","type":"text","text":"proposal would require a"},{"time":"2251.431","type":"text","text":"constitution -- a change to the"},{"time":"2252.032","type":"text","text":"constitutional structure court"},{"time":"2252.266","type":"text","text":"system."},{"time":"2253.298","type":"text","text":"Is that correct?"},{"time":"2254.735","type":"text","text":">> absolutely."},{"time":"2256.971","type":"text","text":">> short of that, aren't there"},{"time":"2258.873","type":"text","text":"many things that could be done"},{"time":"2261.742","type":"text","text":"legislatively to improve, just"},{"time":"2265.179","type":"text","text":"by changes in the cplr or in"},{"time":"2267.18","type":"text","text":"other statutes that govern court"},{"time":"2268.583","type":"text","text":"procedure that could be done to"},{"time":"2272.086","type":"text","text":"make these processes smoother?"},{"time":"2274.555","type":"text","text":">> yes, and we make proposals to"},{"time":"2276.156","type":"text","text":"the legislature every year to"},{"time":"2278.392","type":"text","text":"amend the criminal procedure law"},{"time":"2280.628","type":"text","text":"and the cpl and the family court"},{"time":"2283.364","type":"text","text":"acted and the surrogate court"},{"time":"2285.4","type":"text","text":"procedure exact so on of course."},{"time":"2288.302","type":"text","text":"But this is fundamental and"},{"time":"2292.365","type":"text","text":"foundational."},{"time":"2292.423","type":"text","text":"And you realize -- maybe you"},{"time":"2293.741","type":"text","text":"don't, and stop me if you"},{"time":"2296.077","type":"text","text":"already understand this, but no"},{"time":"2298.212","type":"text","text":"other court system in the clays"},{"time":"2299.012","type":"text","text":"11 separate trial courts."},{"time":"2303.651","type":"text","text":"That can't be a good thing."},{"time":"2305.586","type":"text","text":"And what are we salvaging here?"},{"time":"2307.621","type":"text","text":"Why do we need 11 separate trial"},{"time":"2307.855","type":"text","text":"courts?"},{"time":"2312.059","type":"text","text":"What are we losing by truncating"},{"time":"2316.597","type":"text","text":"this archaic, awkward sort of"},{"time":"2319.333","type":"text","text":"very difficult to manage system?"},{"time":"2321.936","type":"text","text":"So I agree with you 100%, there"},{"time":"2323.07","type":"text","text":"are procedural things that could"},{"time":"2325.606","type":"text","text":"be done to improve the"},{"time":"2326.607","type":"text","text":"efficiency of the court process"},{"time":"2328.709","type":"text","text":"and all the different areas, but"},{"time":"2331.946","type":"text","text":"this goes more to the foundation"},{"time":"2335.183","type":"text","text":"of our what we feel is a very"},{"time":"2337.619","type":"text","text":"outdated, inefficient,"},{"time":"2339.12","type":"text","text":"antiquated foundational"},{"time":"2339.387","type":"text","text":"structure."},{"time":"2339.921","type":"text","text":">> yes."},{"time":"2342.976","type":"text","text":"I mean, just personally, my"},{"time":"2345.893","type":"text","text":"practice is in federal court"},{"time":"2347.829","type":"text","text":"90%, so there's three sets of"},{"time":"2351.866","type":"text","text":"judges, bankruptcy, magistrate,"},{"time":"2353.667","type":"text","text":"and the district court, but they"},{"time":"2357.305","type":"text","text":"do have certain specialized"},{"time":"2360.842","type":"text","text":"courts for areas that need that"},{"time":"2362.476","type":"text","text":"type of attention."},{"time":"2365.58","type":"text","text":"I wanted to go on to this"},{"time":"2367.915","type":"text","text":"question of elected versus"},{"time":"2369.116","type":"text","text":"appointed judges."},{"time":"2370.819","type":"text","text":"The court of claims judges are"},{"time":"2372.42","type":"text","text":"appointed by the governor."},{"time":"2374.456","type":"text","text":"There's an old joke that a judge"},{"time":"2376.291","type":"text","text":"is a lawyer who knew the"},{"time":"2377.892","type":"text","text":"governor, and then the process"},{"time":"2379.527","type":"text","text":"that we have for elected judges,"},{"time":"2382.063","type":"text","text":"at least where I live, you get"},{"time":"2383.865","type":"text","text":"people together from a large"},{"time":"2385.467","type":"text","text":"number of counties."},{"time":"2389.637","type":"text","text":"They're completely different."},{"time":"2393.941","type":"text","text":"So under this proposal, is there"},{"time":"2397.512","type":"text","text":"an increase in the number of"},{"time":"2399.013","type":"text","text":"judges who will be appointed by"},{"time":"2400.115","type":"text","text":"the governor?"},{"time":"2402.617","type":"text","text":"And how do you mix them in with"},{"time":"2403.985","type":"text","text":"the ones who are elected by the"},{"time":"2404.819","type":"text","text":"people?"},{"time":"2405.587","type":"text","text":">> okay."},{"time":"2407.856","type":"text","text":"Let me explain this."},{"time":"2409.524","type":"text","text":"We have a name for this."},{"time":"2411.359","type":"text","text":"It's called merger in place."},{"time":"2413.662","type":"text","text":"As I'm sure you know, there's"},{"time":"2415.296","type":"text","text":"been a debate for years about"},{"time":"2416.931","type":"text","text":"this, should judges be elected,"},{"time":"2418.834","type":"text","text":"should judges be appointed."},{"time":"2420.936","type":"text","text":"You have strong proponents of"},{"time":"2423.305","type":"text","text":"electing judges, you have strong"},{"time":"2425.207","type":"text","text":"po opponents of appointing"},{"time":"2425.44","type":"text","text":"judges."},{"time":"2426.808","type":"text","text":"Institutionally the office of"},{"time":"2428.143","type":"text","text":"court administration is neutral"},{"time":"2428.209","type":"text","text":"-"},{"time":"2432.147","type":"text","text":"on that, which we have to be,"},{"time":"2433.481","type":"text","text":"and actually we have terrific"},{"time":"2435.083","type":"text","text":"elected judges, we have terrific"},{"time":"2437.619","type":"text","text":"appointed judges, we have I"},{"time":"2441.055","type":"text","text":"suppose some less than terrific"},{"time":"2442.39","type":"text","text":"elected judges and less than"},{"time":"2443.892","type":"text","text":"terrific appointed judges, but"},{"time":"2444.693","type":"text","text":"there really isn't that much of"},{"time":"2446.728","type":"text","text":"a difference, but"},{"time":"2447.829","type":"text","text":"institutionally we're neutral on"},{"time":"2448.03","type":"text","text":"this."},{"time":"2450.465","type":"text","text":"And we feel that we can't get"},{"time":"2451.466","type":"text","text":"dragged into that debate with"},{"time":"2453.368","type":"text","text":"this proposal because the"},{"time":"2455.203","type":"text","text":"proposal will get dragged down"},{"time":"2458.04","type":"text","text":"if it degenerates into an"},{"time":"2459.14","type":"text","text":"unresolved debate over whether"},{"time":"2460.142","type":"text","text":"judges should be elected or"},{"time":"2463.202","type":"text","text":"judges should be appointed."},{"time":"2464.312","type":"text","text":"So what we propose, and this is"},{"time":"2466.014","type":"text","text":"not the first time this has been"},{"time":"2467.816","type":"text","text":"proposed, it's not a novel idea"},{"time":"2469.251","type":"text","text":"that we just thought up this"},{"time":"2472.488","type":"text","text":"year we call it merger in place."},{"time":"2475.423","type":"text","text":"Essentially, the way judges are"},{"time":"2477.226","type":"text","text":"selected now and the terms they"},{"time":"2478.76","type":"text","text":"serve not change under this"},{"time":"2479.061","type":"text","text":"proposal."},{"time":"2481.363","type":"text","text":"The current mix -- by the way,"},{"time":"2482.898","type":"text","text":"about 75 to 80 percent of our"},{"time":"2484.5","type":"text","text":"state's judges are elected."},{"time":"2486.935","type":"text","text":"The remaining 20, 25 percent"},{"time":"2487.37","type":"text","text":"appointed."},{"time":"2489.371","type":"text","text":"And we would leave that alone."},{"time":"2492.608","type":"text","text":"So just an example, a family"},{"time":"2493.709","type":"text","text":"court judge."},{"time":"2495.444","type":"text","text":"Outside new york city they're"},{"time":"2498.38","type":"text","text":"all elected to ten-year terms."},{"time":"2500.182","type":"text","text":"Family court judges under our"},{"time":"2501.517","type":"text","text":"proposal would be merged into"},{"time":"2502.618","type":"text","text":"supreme court."},{"time":"2504.019","type":"text","text":"They would become supreme court"},{"time":"2505.654","type":"text","text":"justices."},{"time":"2507.289","type":"text","text":"But unlike the current elected"},{"time":"2510.345","type":"text","text":"supreme court justices who serve"},{"time":"2511.193","type":"text","text":"14-year terms and go through a"},{"time":"2513.028","type":"text","text":"convention process and they run"},{"time":"2514.93","type":"text","text":"in these multi-county judicial"},{"time":"2516.365","type":"text","text":"districts, the family court"},{"time":"2519.134","type":"text","text":"judge under our proposal would"},{"time":"2520.302","type":"text","text":"still round a county-wide basis"},{"time":"2523.349","type":"text","text":"for a ten-year term, and when"},{"time":"2523.439","type":"text","text":"that judge left the bench, you"},{"time":"2526.075","type":"text","text":"know, at the end of his or her"},{"time":"2529.511","type":"text","text":"career, the successor would also"},{"time":"2531.413","type":"text","text":"be selected the same way and for"},{"time":"2533.449","type":"text","text":"the same term."},{"time":"2535.617","type":"text","text":"By contrast, in new york city"},{"time":"2536.785","type":"text","text":"family court judges are not"},{"time":"2537.686","type":"text","text":"elected, they're appointed by"},{"time":"2540.222","type":"text","text":"the mayor of new york city, also"},{"time":"2541.257","type":"text","text":"for ten-year terms."},{"time":"2543.159","type":"text","text":"It would be the same."},{"time":"2547.096","type":"text","text":"The judge would become a supreme"},{"time":"2547.73","type":"text","text":"court justin our proposal, would"},{"time":"2549.398","type":"text","text":"continue to be appointed by the"},{"time":"2550.566","type":"text","text":"mayor, could be reappointed by"},{"time":"2552.234","type":"text","text":"the mayor also for a ten-year"},{"time":"2553.536","type":"text","text":"term, and then when that judge"},{"time":"2555.571","type":"text","text":"left office, the judge's"},{"time":"2557.406","type":"text","text":"successor would be appointed by"},{"time":"2558.507","type":"text","text":"the mayor to the supreme court"},{"time":"2560.309","type":"text","text":"for a ten-year term."},{"time":"2561.844","type":"text","text":"We leave everything in place."},{"time":"2563.779","type":"text","text":"We don't change it."},{"time":"2566.282","type":"text","text":"It's not a perfect solution, but"},{"time":"2569.618","type":"text","text":"we feel very strongly that if"},{"time":"2570.82","type":"text","text":"this becomes a debate about"},{"time":"2573.622","type":"text","text":"whether judges should be elected"},{"time":"2576.092","type":"text","text":"or pointed, it will be dead on"},{"time":"2576.325","type":"text","text":"arrival."},{"time":"2577.927","type":"text","text":">> -- or pointed, it will be"},{"time":"2579.495","type":"text","text":"dead on a arrival."},{"time":"2581.564","type":"text","text":">> I just don't understand, what"},{"time":"2584.166","type":"text","text":"tells a litigant, except just"},{"time":"2585.501","type":"text","text":"random, whether they're going to"},{"time":"2587.203","type":"text","text":"get an elected or appoint judge,"},{"time":"2588.537","type":"text","text":"leaving out this thing."},{"time":"2590.073","type":"text","text":"I was unaware that the family"},{"time":"2591.073","type":"text","text":"court judges were appointed by"},{"time":"2591.875","type":"text","text":"the mayor."},{"time":"2595.611","type":"text","text":"But in the albany area, you"},{"time":"2597.313","type":"text","text":"know what you're getting to some"},{"time":"2599.248","type":"text","text":"extent, though you might be"},{"time":"2600.783","type":"text","text":"assigned a court of claims"},{"time":"2602.586","type":"text","text":"judge, but how do you know,"},{"time":"2604.32","type":"text","text":"what's the criteria for whether"},{"time":"2605.621","type":"text","text":"someone gets an elected or"},{"time":"2607.023","type":"text","text":"appointed judge or is it just"},{"time":"2609.358","type":"text","text":"completely random?"},{"time":"2611.794","type":"text","text":">> it would be random because"},{"time":"2615.165","type":"text","text":"all these judges would be"},{"time":"2616.232","type":"text","text":"supreme court justices from"},{"time":"2617.534","type":"text","text":"these four courts that would be"},{"time":"2618.834","type":"text","text":"merged into the supreme court."},{"time":"2620.77","type":"text","text":"They would all have jurisdiction"},{"time":"2622.939","type":"text","text":"over all of the expanded"},{"time":"2624.407","type":"text","text":"categories of cases that would"},{"time":"2626.542","type":"text","text":"be consolidated into supreme"},{"time":"2626.809","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"2629.646","type":"text","text":"And how would one know?"},{"time":"2630.447","type":"text","text":"That's a good question."},{"time":"2633.583","type":"text","text":"I'm not sure how one knows now."},{"time":"2634.918","type":"text","text":"In new york city half of the"},{"time":"2638.254","type":"text","text":"judges who sit in supreme court"},{"time":"2639.856","type":"text","text":"are not elected supreme court"},{"time":"2640.357","type":"text","text":"justices."},{"time":"2642.592","type":"text","text":"They're acting supreme court"},{"time":"2642.859","type":"text","text":"justices."},{"time":"2646.896","type":"text","text":"We went through a whole long"},{"time":"2648.832","type":"text","text":"explanation of this at the"},{"time":"2650.266","type":"text","text":"hearing last week, but that's"},{"time":"2654.312","type":"text","text":"out of necessity because of the"},{"time":"2656.839","type":"text","text":"constitutional limitation on how"},{"time":"2657.574","type":"text","text":"many supreme court justices"},{"time":"2660.276","type":"text","text":"there can be in each judicial"},{"time":"2660.576","type":"text","text":"district."},{"time":"2663.313","type":"text","text":"There's a formula in the say the"},{"time":"2663.747","type":"text","text":"constitution."},{"time":"2665.715","type":"text","text":"There can't be more than one for"},{"time":"2666.416","type":"text","text":"every 50,000 people in the"},{"time":"2666.682","type":"text","text":"district."},{"time":"2668.952","type":"text","text":"The result of that in very"},{"time":"2669.986","type":"text","text":"high-volume courts, particularly"},{"time":"2671.488","type":"text","text":"in new york city, is we don't"},{"time":"2672.889","type":"text","text":"have nearly enough supreme court"},{"time":"2675.324","type":"text","text":"justices, so we have to raid"},{"time":"2678.662","type":"text","text":"other courts and make judges"},{"time":"2680.096","type":"text","text":"acting supreme court justices so"},{"time":"2681.598","type":"text","text":"that we can handle all the"},{"time":"2681.898","type":"text","text":"cases."},{"time":"2684.067","type":"text","text":"And do you know who appoints the"},{"time":"2685.635","type":"text","text":"acting supreme court justices?"},{"time":"2686.937","type":"text","text":"These are half -- half of the"},{"time":"2688.137","type":"text","text":"judges who sit in supreme court"},{"time":"2689.872","type":"text","text":"in new york city are appointed"},{"time":"2692.576","type":"text","text":"by me and I'm not elected by"},{"time":"2692.809","type":"text","text":"anybody."},{"time":"2694.544","type":"text","text":"I'm appointed by someone who is"},{"time":"2695.512","type":"text","text":"appointed by someone else."},{"time":"2696.846","type":"text","text":"That's a bad system."},{"time":"2698.982","type":"text","text":"But we do it out of necessity."},{"time":"2701.684","type":"text","text":"So if you can get rid of the"},{"time":"2703.152","type":"text","text":"constitutional cap on the number"},{"time":"2706.256","type":"text","text":"of supreme court justices, which"},{"time":"2709.192","type":"text","text":"we propose in this bill, we"},{"time":"2710.694","type":"text","text":"would also eliminate the"},{"time":"2713.13","type":"text","text":"authority that we now have to"},{"time":"2714.531","type":"text","text":"designate acting supreme court"},{"time":"2715.231","type":"text","text":"justices."},{"time":"2716.766","type":"text","text":"That would go away in this"},{"time":"2717.867","type":"text","text":"proposal as well because we feel"},{"time":"2719.603","type":"text","text":"it wouldn't be needed when you"},{"time":"2721.004","type":"text","text":"eliminate the constitutional"},{"time":"2721.304","type":"text","text":"cap."},{"time":"2723.707","type":"text","text":"So it's a long way of answering"},{"time":"2726.764","type":"text","text":"your question."},{"time":"2726.877","type":"text","text":"But how do people know how?"},{"time":"2729.513","type":"text","text":"In the crazy patchwork system"},{"time":"2731.014","type":"text","text":"that -- whether the judge"},{"time":"2732.116","type":"text","text":"they're before is elected or"},{"time":"2732.382","type":"text","text":"appointed?"},{"time":"2733.984","type":"text","text":">> this is all to your point,"},{"time":"2736.286","type":"text","text":"which is 100% correct, that you"},{"time":"2738.588","type":"text","text":"don't need 13 separate trial"},{"time":"2739.489","type":"text","text":"courts, as you say."},{"time":"2740.123","type":"text","text":">> 11."},{"time":"2742.025","type":"text","text":">> 11."},{"time":"2742.56","type":"text","text":"Okay."},{"time":"2744.661","type":"text","text":"But on the other hand,"},{"time":"2745.963","type":"text","text":"specialization is actually very"},{"time":"2746.363","type":"text","text":"important."},{"time":"2750.034","type":"text","text":"No lawyer can be a master of all"},{"time":"2750.267","type":"text","text":"fields."},{"time":"2753.837","type":"text","text":"I think it would be very"},{"time":"2755.272","type":"text","text":"disconcerting in my practice"},{"time":"2756.473","type":"text","text":"area, which is a plaintiff's"},{"time":"2758.075","type":"text","text":"employment law and civil rights,"},{"time":"2761.044","type":"text","text":"to walk into a court with"},{"time":"2763.247","type":"text","text":"someone, with a judge whose"},{"time":"2765.048","type":"text","text":"entire practice in their lives"},{"time":"2767.551","type":"text","text":"has been, say, state practice,"},{"time":"2771.021","type":"text","text":"and most of their experience has"},{"time":"2774.458","type":"text","text":"been as a surrogate court judge,"},{"time":"2775.058","type":"text","text":"say."},{"time":"2776.36","type":"text","text":"Now they're a supreme court"},{"time":"2776.66","type":"text","text":"judge."},{"time":"2779.197","type":"text","text":"Now they get assigned to my"},{"time":"2779.397","type":"text","text":"case."},{"time":"2782.399","type":"text","text":"So really, if I'm doing what I"},{"time":"2784.334","type":"text","text":"have to do as a lawyer, I now"},{"time":"2787.271","type":"text","text":"have to write the definitive"},{"time":"2788.673","type":"text","text":"treatise on employment and civil"},{"time":"2790.174","type":"text","text":"rights law to educate the judge"},{"time":"2792.609","type":"text","text":"and the judge's clerk."},{"time":"2794.445","type":"text","text":"That doesn't help the litigant."},{"time":"2797.148","type":"text","text":"So I think in any reform"},{"time":"2799.816","type":"text","text":"proposal, and I commend you for"},{"time":"2801.085","type":"text","text":"at least putting wont table,"},{"time":"2802.586","type":"text","text":"there has to be -- putting one"},{"time":"2804.822","type":"text","text":"on the table, there has to be a"},{"time":"2807.992","type":"text","text":"balance between reducing, you"},{"time":"2810.161","type":"text","text":"know, a proliferation of courts"},{"time":"2813.23","type":"text","text":"that exist for historical"},{"time":"2816.233","type":"text","text":"reasons and still allowing for"},{"time":"2817.568","type":"text","text":"specialization so you as a"},{"time":"2819.169","type":"text","text":"litigant don't have to reinvent"},{"time":"2822.236","type":"text","text":"the wheel every time you appear"},{"time":"2822.29","type":"text","text":"before the judge."},{"time":"2824.008","type":"text","text":"Would you agree that that is a"},{"time":"2824.542","type":"text","text":"reasonable position?"},{"time":"2828.379","type":"text","text":">> I agree with you 110%."},{"time":"2832.917","type":"text","text":"And in fact, in our proposal, in"},{"time":"2834.485","type":"text","text":"the merged consolidated supreme"},{"time":"2837.855","type":"text","text":"court we call for creating"},{"time":"2839.09","type":"text","text":"specialized divisions show that"},{"time":"2841.926","type":"text","text":"we could do exactly what you're"},{"time":"2843.027","type":"text","text":"suggesting, take advantage of"},{"time":"2844.963","type":"text","text":"the experience and expertise"},{"time":"2846.564","type":"text","text":"that individual judges have,"},{"time":"2848.899","type":"text","text":"although in federal court, as"},{"time":"2850.702","type":"text","text":"you said, that judges take"},{"time":"2852.036","type":"text","text":"everything that comes in the"},{"time":"2852.337","type":"text","text":"door."},{"time":"2856.391","type":"text","text":"In many of our upstate counties"},{"time":"2858.475","type":"text","text":"we have judges who wear four"},{"time":"2860.311","type":"text","text":"hats, actually."},{"time":"2863.247","type":"text","text":"They can be surrogates, they're"},{"time":"2864.749","type":"text","text":"elected surrogates, they're"},{"time":"2866.484","type":"text","text":"elected county court, they're"},{"time":"2867.885","type":"text","text":"elected family court, all three"},{"time":"2869.72","type":"text","text":"because in most of the smaller"},{"time":"2872.556","type":"text","text":"counties upstate we don't have a"},{"time":"2873.558","type":"text","text":"resident supreme court justice"},{"time":"2875.693","type":"text","text":"which would change under our"},{"time":"2875.96","type":"text","text":"proposal."},{"time":"2877.229","type":"text","text":"There are also acting supreme"},{"time":"2878.295","type":"text","text":"court justices."},{"time":"2880.531","type":"text","text":"So they're wearing four hats."},{"time":"2881.333","type":"text","text":"They're handling whatever comes"},{"time":"2883.168","type":"text","text":"in the door."},{"time":"2885.803","type":"text","text":"It works reasonably well, but I"},{"time":"2886.804","type":"text","text":"agree with you completely that"},{"time":"2889.14","type":"text","text":"at least in larger jurisdictions"},{"time":"2891.743","type":"text","text":"where we could -- would have the"},{"time":"2893.778","type":"text","text":"luxury of specializing, we would"},{"time":"2896.514","type":"text","text":"do that and have specialized"},{"time":"2898.75","type":"text","text":"divisions, and assign judges to"},{"time":"2899.951","type":"text","text":"those divisions obviously based"},{"time":"2901.285","type":"text","text":"on their particular backgrounds"},{"time":"2902.787","type":"text","text":"and expertise."},{"time":"2906.325","type":"text","text":">> so you had alludeed to the"},{"time":"2908.627","type":"text","text":"judges that wear several hats."},{"time":"2910.462","type":"text","text":"Do you think, you know, under"},{"time":"2911.663","type":"text","text":"this propose you could have a"},{"time":"2912.998","type":"text","text":"judge who might be hearing a"},{"time":"2915.133","type":"text","text":"criminal case, a family court"},{"time":"2917.736","type":"text","text":"matter, something else, all"},{"time":"2919.571","type":"text","text":"regarding the same individual?"},{"time":"2921.606","type":"text","text":"Do you think it's appropriate"},{"time":"2925.71","type":"text","text":"for a judge who wears multiple"},{"time":"2927.445","type":"text","text":"hats to say use family court"},{"time":"2928.447","type":"text","text":"proceedings to leverage a plea"},{"time":"2934.886","type":"text","text":"in a criminal case?"},{"time":"2937.255","type":"text","text":">> well, you know, our proposal"},{"time":"2939.358","type":"text","text":"wouldn't get rid of the"},{"time":"2940.558","type":"text","text":"procedural acts."},{"time":"2943.395","type":"text","text":"The procedural acts, the cpl and"},{"time":"2946.231","type":"text","text":"the cplr and so on, would"},{"time":"2947.832","type":"text","text":"probably have to be tweaked, and"},{"time":"2950.969","type":"text","text":"there would need to be"},{"time":"2952.303","type":"text","text":"conforming statutory changes but"},{"time":"2955.24","type":"text","text":"there would still be separate"},{"time":"2956.741","type":"text","text":"procedural provisions that would"},{"time":"2957.843","type":"text","text":"apply to different types of"},{"time":"2958.043","type":"text","text":"cases."},{"time":"2959.077","type":"text","text":"I don't know if that answers"},{"time":"2959.678","type":"text","text":"your question or not."},{"time":"2961.646","type":"text","text":">> well, it's a difficult"},{"time":"2963.114","type":"text","text":"question because I think that"},{"time":"2965.35","type":"text","text":"does go on in those counties"},{"time":"2966.819","type":"text","text":"where the judges wear three"},{"time":"2968.052","type":"text","text":"hats, and I'm more frying to"},{"time":"2969.554","type":"text","text":"make you familiar with the"},{"time":"2970.889","type":"text","text":"practice, which I think is"},{"time":"2972.491","type":"text","text":"rather odious because the things"},{"time":"2974.392","type":"text","text":"are much different."},{"time":"2976.761","type":"text","text":"What is being done with the town"},{"time":"2977.362","type":"text","text":"court system?"},{"time":"2979.265","type":"text","text":"Any changes there?"},{"time":"2982.201","type":"text","text":">> as you know, the town and"},{"time":"2984.836","type":"text","text":"village court system is locally"},{"time":"2986.304","type":"text","text":"financed, locally managed."},{"time":"2987.973","type":"text","text":"They are technically part of the"},{"time":"2990.276","type":"text","text":"unified court system, but our"},{"time":"2992.611","type":"text","text":"proposal does not change the"},{"time":"2993.245","type":"text","text":"town and village courts."},{"time":"2996.248","type":"text","text":">> and just one final note on"},{"time":"2998.35","type":"text","text":"this diversity question."},{"time":"3002.054","type":"text","text":"Through my 35 years of practice,"},{"time":"3003.522","type":"text","text":"I have learned that oftentimes"},{"time":"3005.157","type":"text","text":"it's the background, the"},{"time":"3006.458","type":"text","text":"diversity of background of the"},{"time":"3008.761","type":"text","text":"judges, the type of practice"},{"time":"3010.896","type":"text","text":"area they had, whether they only"},{"time":"3013.231","type":"text","text":"represented defendants or they"},{"time":"3015.166","type":"text","text":"only represented plaintiffs,"},{"time":"3017.869","type":"text","text":"that influences them more than,"},{"time":"3020.305","type":"text","text":"say, some of the diversity"},{"time":"3020.906","type":"text","text":"characteristics that you were"},{"time":"3022.007","type":"text","text":"talking about."},{"time":"3023.809","type":"text","text":"What, if anything, is going to"},{"time":"3027.079","type":"text","text":"be done to assure that judicial"},{"time":"3030.315","type":"text","text":"selection is from a diverse"},{"time":"3031.083","type":"text","text":"background of practice areas and"},{"time":"3033.118","type":"text","text":"the type of clients that these"},{"time":"3034.12","type":"text","text":"lawyers represented?"},{"time":"3037.356","type":"text","text":">> well, I'll give you one"},{"time":"3039.892","type":"text","text":"answer to that would be another"},{"time":"3041.393","type":"text","text":"benefit of our proposal is that"},{"time":"3042.828","type":"text","text":"the appellate division would"},{"time":"3045.764","type":"text","text":"benefit because you would have"},{"time":"3047.899","type":"text","text":"judges not just from the current"},{"time":"3049.502","type":"text","text":"supreme court eligible for"},{"time":"3050.803","type":"text","text":"appointment to the appellate"},{"time":"3052.638","type":"text","text":"division, but you'd have judges"},{"time":"3055.04","type":"text","text":"who were family court judges or"},{"time":"3057.577","type":"text","text":"judges who were county court"},{"time":"3058.51","type":"text","text":"judges handling felonies or"},{"time":"3060.513","type":"text","text":"judges who were surrogates"},{"time":"3061.747","type":"text","text":"handling trusts and estate"},{"time":"3061.948","type":"text","text":"cases."},{"time":"3064.783","type":"text","text":"They would now all be eligible"},{"time":"3066.585","type":"text","text":"for to the appellate division."},{"time":"3069.421","type":"text","text":"At least at the a appellate"},{"time":"3072.291","type":"text","text":"level there would be a benefit a"},{"time":"3073.659","type":"text","text":"broader jupp judges from a more"},{"time":"3076.715","type":"text","text":"diverse -- from more diverse"},{"time":"3079.198","type":"text","text":"subject areas, if you will."},{"time":"3079.832","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"3080.833","type":"text","text":"I have one more question."},{"time":"3082.635","type":"text","text":"I just want to figure out who"},{"time":"3085.771","type":"text","text":"benefits from the current"},{"time":"3086.836","type":"text","text":"system?"},{"time":"3087.307","type":"text","text":"Because I can't figure out if"},{"time":"3088.808","type":"text","text":"there's a single litigant who"},{"time":"3089","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101240","guid":"81aff490-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"3093.145","type":"text","text":"does."},{"time":"3095.281","type":"text","text":">> you're asking the wrong"},{"time":"3097.283","type":"text","text":"person that question because I"},{"time":"3098.885","type":"text","text":"would struggle could to come up"},{"time":"3104.491","type":"text","text":"with an answeri don't know who benefits from"},{"time":"3107.543","type":"text","text":"the current system."},{"time":"3110.029","type":"text","text":"It's unlike any other in the"},{"time":"3110.63","type":"text","text":"country."},{"time":"3114.167","type":"text","text":"That's not a good thing."},{"time":"3115.934","type":"text","text":"And is there anyone -- maybe --"},{"time":"3118.704","type":"text","text":"I'll tell you who might benefit."},{"time":"3122.141","type":"text","text":"A litigant whose strategy was"},{"time":"3124.277","type":"text","text":"delay could benefit from the"},{"time":"3129.516","type":"text","text":"current court system because its"},{"time":"3131.217","type":"text","text":"structure fosters and"},{"time":"3131.984","type":"text","text":"facilitates delay."},{"time":"3134.687","type":"text","text":"So a lawyer representing a"},{"time":"3136.789","type":"text","text":"litigant or the strategy was to"},{"time":"3139.526","type":"text","text":"try to delay benefit from the"},{"time":"3140.326","type":"text","text":"current system."},{"time":"3141.661","type":"text","text":"Think we could all agree that"},{"time":"3144.097","type":"text","text":"that's not a good thing."},{"time":"3145.699","type":"text","text":">> thank you very much, judge"},{"time":"3145.899","type":"text","text":"marks."},{"time":"3146.899","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"3159.212","type":"text","text":">> next person is jill faber"},{"time":"3164","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101241","guid":"81b4781f-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Jill Faber, Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs, Office of the Attorney General"},{"time":"3170.657","type":"text","text":"so we're going to keep it to"},{"time":"3172.759","type":"text","text":"five minutes, if you could, but"},{"time":"3174.594","type":"text","text":"we really prefer you to speak to"},{"time":"3176.896","type":"text","text":"us rather than read your"},{"time":"3177.163","type":"text","text":"testimony."},{"time":"3179.032","type":"text","text":">> I'll do a little bit of both."},{"time":"3179.732","type":"text","text":"How about that?"},{"time":"3180.733","type":"text","text":">> okay."},{"time":"3181.334","type":"text","text":"Nice to see."},{"time":"3182.768","type":"text","text":">> you nice to see you."},{"time":"3184.171","type":"text","text":"Good morning, everybody."},{"time":"3185.805","type":"text","text":"I want to thank, first of all"},{"time":"3187.14","type":"text","text":"let me introduce himes."},{"time":"3188.641","type":"text","text":"I'm jill fabe perp I'm the"},{"time":"3189.242","type":"text","text":"deputy attorney general for"},{"time":"3192.579","type":"text","text":"regional affairs, for attorney"},{"time":"3195.849","type":"text","text":"general leticia james, and I"},{"time":"3199.152","type":"text","text":"want to thank chairs hoylman and"},{"time":"3199.886","type":"text","text":"dinowitz as well as the members"},{"time":"3201.721","type":"text","text":"of the senate and assembly"},{"time":"3202.755","type":"text","text":"judiciary committees for giving"},{"time":"3203.891","type":"text","text":"me the opportunity to speak"},{"time":"3204.624","type":"text","text":"before you today."},{"time":"3205.925","type":"text","text":"And I understand that this"},{"time":"3208.362","type":"text","text":"hearing is aimed a consideration"},{"time":"3208.428","type":"text","text":"-"},{"time":"3212.165","type":"text","text":"of judge defiori's far-reaching"},{"time":"3214.601","type":"text","text":"proposal to stoll date for, nosh"},{"time":"3215.702","type":"text","text":"state's court system, and our"},{"time":"3217.737","type":"text","text":"office looks forward to hearing"},{"time":"3219.673","type":"text","text":"the perspectives a ors diverse"},{"time":"3221.408","type":"text","text":"array of stakeholder as we move"},{"time":"3222.309","type":"text","text":"forward with this process."},{"time":"3225.245","type":"text","text":"However as we come together to"},{"time":"3226.446","type":"text","text":"discuss the plan, it's the"},{"time":"3228.682","type":"text","text":"position of the attorney"},{"time":"3231.185","type":"text","text":"general's office that it's"},{"time":"3232.919","type":"text","text":"critically important to consider"},{"time":"3234.621","type":"text","text":"long overdue reforms to the"},{"time":"3236.756","type":"text","text":"state's town and village justice"},{"time":"3238.191","type":"text","text":"court system."},{"time":"3239.793","type":"text","text":"These courts dispense justice in"},{"time":"3241.828","type":"text","text":"millions of cases each year, and"},{"time":"3244.131","type":"text","text":"for thousands of new yorkers an"},{"time":"3247.6","type":"text","text":"appearance before a town justice"},{"time":"3248.902","type":"text","text":"is the only firsthand experience"},{"time":"3251.305","type":"text","text":"they'll have with our court"},{"time":"3251.538","type":"text","text":"system."},{"time":"3254.174","type":"text","text":"As such, we propose taking"},{"time":"3257.077","type":"text","text":"immediate steps to cure serious"},{"time":"3257.811","type":"text","text":"inefficiencies in the the"},{"time":"3259.513","type":"text","text":"organization of town and village"},{"time":"3261.848","type":"text","text":"justice courts in order to"},{"time":"3262.949","type":"text","text":"prevent due process violations"},{"time":"3265.686","type":"text","text":"and other legal errors and to"},{"time":"3267.688","type":"text","text":"assure that all our town and"},{"time":"3269.924","type":"text","text":"village justice courts have the"},{"time":"3271.658","type":"text","text":"resources, the facilities and"},{"time":"3273.593","type":"text","text":"funding to provide equal access"},{"time":"3276.096","type":"text","text":"to justice in the 21st"},{"time":"3276.597","type":"text","text":"century."},{"time":"3278.932","type":"text","text":"The attorney general's 13"},{"time":"3279.833","type":"text","text":"regional offices recently"},{"time":"3281.968","type":"text","text":"completed a study of town and"},{"time":"3283.27","type":"text","text":"village justice courts"},{"time":"3285.105","type":"text","text":"throughout the state."},{"time":"3290.978","type":"text","text":"Teams of AGs in buffalo, just,"},{"time":"3291.979","type":"text","text":"rochester, po convince"},{"time":"3293.681","type":"text","text":"binghamton throughout the"},{"time":"3298.152","type":"text","text":"state -- poughkeepsie, many hoof"},{"time":"3298.952","type":"text","text":"have expand persons appearing"},{"time":"3300.454","type":"text","text":"before town and village justice"},{"time":"3302.089","type":"text","text":"courts spoke with public"},{"time":"3303.023","type":"text","text":"defenders, legal services"},{"time":"3306.127","type":"text","text":"attorneys, DAs, town justices"},{"time":"3307.227","type":"text","text":"from almost every countyin the"},{"time":"3309.464","type":"text","text":"state, and these stakeholders"},{"time":"3313.401","type":"text","text":"provided extensive data,"},{"time":"3314.501","type":"text","text":"anecdotal information and ramp"},{"time":"3316.837","type":"text","text":"great insight into the current"},{"time":"3318.272","type":"text","text":"functioning of the town and kim"},{"time":"3319.106","type":"text","text":"jong-un justice courts."},{"time":"3324.746","type":"text","text":"The picturevillage justice courts."},{"time":"3327.014","type":"text","text":"The picture that emerged made it"},{"time":"3328.482","type":"text","text":"lear clear that change ask"},{"time":"3330.284","type":"text","text":"necessary regard to ensure that"},{"time":"3331.418","type":"text","text":"all new yorkers regardless of"},{"time":"3334.321","type":"text","text":"where they live have access to"},{"time":"3335.556","type":"text","text":"equal justice inside the courts."},{"time":"3337.157","type":"text","text":"The findings, if I can"},{"time":"3338.593","type":"text","text":"summarize, the finding of our"},{"time":"3339.794","type":"text","text":"study highlight the need for the"},{"time":"3342.029","type":"text","text":"following reforms in broad"},{"time":"3342.729","type":"text","text":"categories."},{"time":"3344.331","type":"text","text":"First, there are currently more"},{"time":"3346.066","type":"text","text":"than 1200 town and village"},{"time":"3347.968","type":"text","text":"justice courts in 57 counties"},{"time":"3351.034","type":"text","text":"throughout the state."},{"time":"3352.607","type":"text","text":"In order to achieve minimum"},{"time":"3354.141","type":"text","text":"standards among these justice"},{"time":"3355.376","type":"text","text":"courts, we believe consolidation"},{"time":"3356.177","type":"text","text":"is critical."},{"time":"3359.28","type":"text","text":"In many parts of the states, in"},{"time":"3361.516","type":"text","text":"many parts of the state numerous"},{"time":"3363.117","type":"text","text":"judicial courts exist only a new"},{"time":"3365.153","type":"text","text":"miles, in some cases a few"},{"time":"3366.521","type":"text","text":"blocks from each other resulting"},{"time":"3368.59","type":"text","text":"in geographic and jurisdictional"},{"time":"3371.025","type":"text","text":"overlap and facility and funding"},{"time":"3371.659","type":"text","text":"inefficiencies."},{"time":"3373.428","type":"text","text":"There's no need for all of these"},{"time":"3375.463","type":"text","text":"overlapping courts to remain in"},{"time":"3376.263","type":"text","text":"existence in order for justice"},{"time":"3379.167","type":"text","text":"could be provided on a local"},{"time":"3379.367","type":"text","text":"basis."},{"time":"3380.501","type":"text","text":"Without consolidation, there's"},{"time":"3382.036","type":"text","text":"no logistical or financial way"},{"time":"3384.238","type":"text","text":"to achieve the much needed"},{"time":"3385.64","type":"text","text":"improvements in court"},{"time":"3388.977","type":"text","text":"facilities, accessibility,"},{"time":"3389.777","type":"text","text":"training, fine collection"},{"time":"3392.213","type":"text","text":"practices, and staffing."},{"time":"3393.414","type":"text","text":"Overlapping justice courts"},{"time":"3394.949","type":"text","text":"create enormous burdens on"},{"time":"3397.585","type":"text","text":"taxpayer funded resources at the"},{"time":"3398.987","type":"text","text":"local, county and state levels."},{"time":"3400.388","type":"text","text":"The result is that many"},{"time":"3402.223","type":"text","text":"individual courts lack the"},{"time":"3404.125","type":"text","text":"resources required to perform"},{"time":"3407.462","type":"text","text":"basic functions crucial to"},{"time":"3409.697","type":"text","text":"dispensing justice."},{"time":"3410.998","type":"text","text":"Consolidation would enhance the"},{"time":"3413.734","type":"text","text":"provision of indigent defense"},{"time":"3414.135","type":"text","text":"services."},{"time":"3415.971","type":"text","text":"With fewer justice courts to"},{"time":"3417.125","type":"text","text":"cover, defenders would be able"},{"time":"3418.673","type":"text","text":"to appear in more proceedings"},{"time":"3420.208","type":"text","text":"throughout the state and meet"},{"time":"3422.01","type":"text","text":"with their clients and prepare"},{"time":"3423.511","type":"text","text":"their cases rather than"},{"time":"3425.546","type":"text","text":"traveling between justice"},{"time":"3428.95","type":"text","text":"courts."},{"time":"3430.785","type":"text","text":"Local justices preside over"},{"time":"3432.22","type":"text","text":"varied and complex criminal"},{"time":"3434.523","type":"text","text":"matters, and they can impose"},{"time":"3435.557","type":"text","text":"jail sentences."},{"time":"3437.659","type":"text","text":"Justice criminal defendants have"},{"time":"3439.193","type":"text","text":"a constitutional right to be"},{"time":"3441.796","type":"text","text":"represented by an attorney, we"},{"time":"3444.232","type":"text","text":"strongly believe that due"},{"time":"3445.233","type":"text","text":"process also requires the right"},{"time":"3448.283","type":"text","text":"to go before an attorney judge"},{"time":"3449.804","type":"text","text":"involving criminal charges when"},{"time":"3453.108","type":"text","text":"a case involves criminal charges."},{"time":"3455.444","type":"text","text":"Likewise, enhanced mandated"},{"time":"3457.278","type":"text","text":"training of lay judges should be"},{"time":"3458.68","type":"text","text":"implemented in order to ensure"},{"time":"3460.382","type":"text","text":"they're prepared to handle"},{"time":"3463.318","type":"text","text":"complex criminal matters,"},{"time":"3464.653","type":"text","text":"constitutional questions,"},{"time":"3467.289","type":"text","text":"motions, jury trials, and"},{"time":"3470.343","type":"text","text":"evidentiary rulings."},{"time":"3470.525","type":"text","text":"It's imperative that"},{"time":"3471.726","type":"text","text":"non-attorney judges be subject"},{"time":"3475.663","type":"text","text":"to mandatory and robust ongoing"},{"time":"3477.165","type":"text","text":"training requirements."},{"time":"3478.7","type":"text","text":"Finally, it's critical that"},{"time":"3480.202","type":"text","text":"justice courts be required to"},{"time":"3481.837","type":"text","text":"maintain minimum standards with"},{"time":"3484.373","type":"text","text":"respect to court facilities."},{"time":"3486.307","type":"text","text":"Simply put, the lack of"},{"time":"3488.043","type":"text","text":"resources and inadequate"},{"time":"3490.045","type":"text","text":"facilities in many justice"},{"time":"3494.101","type":"text","text":"courts prevents justice from"},{"time":"3494.161","type":"text","text":"being served."},{"time":"3497.21","type":"text","text":"It imparities the provision due"},{"time":"3497.261","type":"text","text":"process and impedes access to"},{"time":"3497.319","type":"text","text":"the court."},{"time":"3516","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101242","guid":"81b6ab09-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"3586.375","type":"text","text":"At a minimum,"},{"time":"3586.575","type":"text","text":"."},{"time":"3586.709","type":"text","text":">>"},{"time":"3587.709","type":"text","text":">> I did want to ask you in"},{"time":"3589.112","type":"text","text":"terms of the due process rights,"},{"time":"3592.915","type":"text","text":"and I note your support for, I"},{"time":"3595.952","type":"text","text":"assume would be legislation to"},{"time":"3598.121","type":"text","text":"allow defendants facing criminal"},{"time":"3599.122","type":"text","text":"charges in justice case to have"},{"time":"3601.157","type":"text","text":"their case removed to a justice"},{"time":"3603.526","type":"text","text":"court where they can appear"},{"time":"3604.36","type":"text","text":"before a judge."},{"time":"3605.695","type":"text","text":"Is that something you would"},{"time":"3607.33","type":"text","text":"support, us introducing as"},{"time":"3607.63","type":"text","text":"legislation?"},{"time":"3609.598","type":"text","text":">> yes, absolutely."},{"time":"3610.667","type":"text","text":">> secondly, has the attorney"},{"time":"3613.269","type":"text","text":"general's office thought of --"},{"time":"3616.506","type":"text","text":"how would a constitutional right"},{"time":"3618.073","type":"text","text":"be pursued?"},{"time":"3619.909","type":"text","text":"Barring legislation, which would"},{"time":"3622.645","type":"text","text":"be I think politically"},{"time":"3625.247","type":"text","text":"challenging in some respects?"},{"time":"3626.916","type":"text","text":"Could the attorney general seek"},{"time":"3631.02","type":"text","text":"a due process claim on that"},{"time":"3631.287","type":"text","text":"disparity?"},{"time":"3633.055","type":"text","text":">> that is a possibility."},{"time":"3634.657","type":"text","text":"You know, what we've heard over"},{"time":"3636.859","type":"text","text":"and over from many of the"},{"time":"3638.261","type":"text","text":"stakeholders who we spoke to is"},{"time":"3644.868","type":"text","text":"that if there were an utah opt-out"},{"time":"3646.069","type":"text","text":"provision where it was possible"},{"time":"3648.504","type":"text","text":"for an criminal defendant to opt"},{"time":"3649.94","type":"text","text":"out of a proceeding before a lay"},{"time":"3652.141","type":"text","text":"justice and have their case"},{"time":"3654.177","type":"text","text":"heard before a court in that aim"},{"time":"3656.312","type":"text","text":"area with an attorney judge on a"},{"time":"3658.882","type":"text","text":"voluntary basis, that would"},{"time":"3661.217","type":"text","text":"satisfy that, that concern."},{"time":"3663.486","type":"text","text":">> obviously, the point you"},{"time":"3664.787","type":"text","text":"raised are enough material for a"},{"time":"3666.022","type":"text","text":"hearing in and of itself."},{"time":"3669.225","type":"text","text":">> and I will tell you, let me"},{"time":"3671.093","type":"text","text":"say that we began this process"},{"time":"3673.797","type":"text","text":"of looking into town and village"},{"time":"3675.331","type":"text","text":"adjust courts coincidental"},{"time":"3676.399","type":"text","text":"several months ago before they"},{"time":"3680.37","type":"text","text":"of choo judge made her proposal,"},{"time":"3683.473","type":"text","text":"and the data that we've gathered"},{"time":"3685.008","type":"text","text":"is going to be put into a report"},{"time":"3688.444","type":"text","text":"which we would be happy to"},{"time":"3688.778","type":"text","text":"share."},{"time":"3691.48","type":"text","text":"At this point you're getting our"},{"time":"3695.535","type":"text","text":"preliminary and raw data"},{"time":"3695.587","type":"text","text":"findings."},{"time":"3695.637","type":"text","text":"But we thought it was very"},{"time":"3696.285","type":"text","text":"important at this juncture"},{"time":"3699.69","type":"text","text":"because you are considering such"},{"time":"3701.024","type":"text","text":"significant consolidation that"},{"time":"3702.859","type":"text","text":"we raised this as a concern."},{"time":"3703.693","type":"text","text":">> will the attorney general"},{"time":"3705.962","type":"text","text":"have an opinion on the chief"},{"time":"3707.23","type":"text","text":"judge's proposal?"},{"time":"3708.231","type":"text","text":">> yes."},{"time":"3710.167","type":"text","text":"At this point we have not"},{"time":"3712.101","type":"text","text":"formulated an opinion, but later"},{"time":"3714.905","type":"text","text":"in process, absolutely."},{"time":"3719.309","type":"text","text":">> thank you very much."},{"time":"3720.21","type":"text","text":">> outstanding."},{"time":"3724.014","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"3728","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101243","guid":"81b98934-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Hon. Shirley Troutman, Co-Chair Judicial Commission on Diversity"},{"time":"3745.802","type":"text","text":"Next witness, shirley troutmangood morning."},{"time":"3746.569","type":"text","text":">> good morning."},{"time":"3755.112","type":"text","text":"If I could just get a drink."},{"time":"3760.617","type":"text","text":"Again, good morning."},{"time":"3762.886","type":"text","text":"My name is shirley troutman."},{"time":"3766.457","type":"text","text":"I am an associate justice of the"},{"time":"3768.225","type":"text","text":"appellate division, 4th"},{"time":"3768.525","type":"text","text":"department."},{"time":"3769.459","type":"text","text":"Thank you for affording me an"},{"time":"3772.363","type":"text","text":"opportunity to appear before you"},{"time":"3775.198","type":"text","text":"this morning to give you my"},{"time":"3778.569","type":"text","text":"views on how the current"},{"time":"3780.07","type":"text","text":"proposal to restructure new"},{"time":"3782.639","type":"text","text":"york's courts will impact"},{"time":"3783.44","type":"text","text":"diversity."},{"time":"3785.976","type":"text","text":"As an elected upstate supreme"},{"time":"3791.849","type":"text","text":"court justice of color."},{"time":"3795.319","type":"text","text":"Diversity is nearly non-existent"},{"time":"3797.421","type":"text","text":"on supreme court and the"},{"time":"3798.155","type":"text","text":"appellate division in upstate"},{"time":"3803.26","type":"text","text":"new yorkflight."},{"time":"3806.597","type":"text","text":"Entirety of the 3rd and 4th"},{"time":"3807.597","type":"text","text":"judicial departments there are"},{"time":"3810.667","type":"text","text":"only four persons of color,"},{"time":"3812.47","type":"text","text":"including myself."},{"time":"3814.939","type":"text","text":"And because only an elected"},{"time":"3816.507","type":"text","text":"supreme court justice May be"},{"time":"3819.109","type":"text","text":"appointed to the appellate"},{"time":"3821.045","type":"text","text":"division, the result is that a"},{"time":"3824.415","type":"text","text":"truly diverse appellate division"},{"time":"3826.083","type":"text","text":"is not attainable under current"},{"time":"3829.22","type":"text","text":"new york state law, and it"},{"time":"3829.854","type":"text","text":"shows."},{"time":"3831.388","type":"text","text":"Out of the 12 justices serving"},{"time":"3834.444","type":"text","text":"on the 4th department, I am"},{"time":"3836.66","type":"text","text":"the only judge of color."},{"time":"3838.996","type":"text","text":"It's worse in the 3rd"},{"time":"3839.297","type":"text","text":"department."},{"time":"3842.166","type":"text","text":"In the entire history of that"},{"time":"3844.235","type":"text","text":"department there has only been"},{"time":"3847.671","type":"text","text":"one judge of color, and as noted"},{"time":"3850.307","type":"text","text":"earlier, she is from the bronx."},{"time":"3852.31","type":"text","text":"That is abysmal."},{"time":"3854.645","type":"text","text":"It is especially so when you"},{"time":"3857.515","type":"text","text":"remember that this is new york"},{"time":"3860.451","type":"text","text":"state, and we're approaching the"},{"time":"3862.386","type":"text","text":"mid-21st century."},{"time":"3864.221","type":"text","text":"Something has to be done."},{"time":"3866.157","type":"text","text":"The question is what."},{"time":"3868.959","type":"text","text":"I am here because I"},{"time":"3870.261","type":"text","text":"wholeheartedly believe that the"},{"time":"3872.463","type":"text","text":"current proposal of the chief"},{"time":"3875.399","type":"text","text":"judge to restructure the court"},{"time":"3878.936","type":"text","text":"system, that this proposal will"},{"time":"3880.405","type":"text","text":"enhance diversity, and I believe"},{"time":"3883.475","type":"text","text":"that it's not a speculation but"},{"time":"3885.31","type":"text","text":"a fact."},{"time":"3887.412","type":"text","text":"Diversity matters because it is"},{"time":"3891.182","type":"text","text":"essential to reshape many of our"},{"time":"3893.284","type":"text","text":"citizens' perceptions of and"},{"time":"3895.419","type":"text","text":"confidence in the courts."},{"time":"3897.421","type":"text","text":"The courts are where citizens go"},{"time":"3900.257","type":"text","text":"when they need help resolving"},{"time":"3903.32","type":"text","text":"disputes."},{"time":"3903.628","type":"text","text":"The courts are where our"},{"time":"3905.363","type":"text","text":"citizens must go when they are"},{"time":"3908.533","type":"text","text":"faced with incarceration due to"},{"time":"3910.935","type":"text","text":"accusations of criminal conduct."},{"time":"3913.471","type":"text","text":"Those citizens rely on the court"},{"time":"3914.939","type":"text","text":"for truth."},{"time":"3917.542","type":"text","text":"And fair treatment."},{"time":"3918.61","type":"text","text":"Although majority judges are"},{"time":"3921.513","type":"text","text":"certainly capable of dispensing"},{"time":"3924.849","type":"text","text":"justice fairly, and do, bias and"},{"time":"3926.551","type":"text","text":"prejudice are still an"},{"time":"3928.219","type":"text","text":"unfortunate reality."},{"time":"3930.388","type":"text","text":"And many persons of color, upon"},{"time":"3932.657","type":"text","text":"entering the courthouse, fear"},{"time":"3935.86","type":"text","text":"that they're their already"},{"time":"3937.228","type":"text","text":"negative perceptions of the"},{"time":"3939.898","type":"text","text":"court system will become their"},{"time":"3942.267","type":"text","text":"reality."},{"time":"3945.336","type":"text","text":"Diversity fosters an environment"},{"time":"3948.239","type":"text","text":"where equality, acceptance and"},{"time":"3951.976","type":"text","text":"respect are visible and"},{"time":"3953.211","type":"text","text":"intrinsic."},{"time":"3954.646","type":"text","text":"Judges are the gatekeepers"},{"time":"3954.88","type":"text","text":"justice."},{"time":"3957.648","type":"text","text":"We are tasked with applying the"},{"time":"3959.818","type":"text","text":"law as written, and we often"},{"time":"3962.721","type":"text","text":"have broad discretion."},{"time":"3966.157","type":"text","text":"To a citizen whose liberty or"},{"time":"3967.392","type":"text","text":"livelihood depends on the"},{"time":"3969.494","type":"text","text":"outcome of a court case, the"},{"time":"3972.764","type":"text","text":"judge in that case wields"},{"time":"3973.765","type":"text","text":"immense power."},{"time":"3977.001","type":"text","text":"It is of paramount importance"},{"time":"3979.137","type":"text","text":"that all who enter the falls of"},{"time":"3982.507","type":"text","text":"justice are assured that there"},{"time":"3984.909","type":"text","text":"is equal justice for all under"},{"time":"3987.967","type":"text","text":"the law."},{"time":"3992.117","type":"text","text":"Without regard to race, color or"},{"time":"3994.553","type":"text","text":"natural origin but the benefit"},{"time":"3996.621","type":"text","text":"diversity is not merely"},{"time":"3996.988","type":"text","text":"perception."},{"time":"3998.79","type":"text","text":"A diverse supreme court and"},{"time":"4002.394","type":"text","text":"appellate division means more"},{"time":"4004.262","type":"text","text":"perspectives, broadened"},{"time":"4008.2","type":"text","text":"perspectives, a diversity of"},{"time":"4010.069","type":"text","text":"experiences, new opportunities"},{"time":"4013.172","type":"text","text":"for enlightened debate of legal"},{"time":"4015.407","type":"text","text":"issues, and inclusion."},{"time":"4018.009","type":"text","text":"A myriad of voices that can"},{"time":"4019.744","type":"text","text":"strengthen our justice system"},{"time":"4026.418","type":"text","text":"for the benefit of everyone involved."},{"time":"4028.454","type":"text","text":"Why does the problem exist?"},{"time":"4030.756","type":"text","text":"Do a great degree it's systemic."},{"time":"4031.59","type":"text","text":"Supreme court candidates are not"},{"time":"4036.095","type":"text","text":"decided in primaries but at"},{"time":"4036.895","type":"text","text":"conventions, and they're based"},{"time":"4039.532","type":"text","text":"on a number of complicated"},{"time":"4040.766","type":"text","text":"factors."},{"time":"4041.567","type":"text","text":"Moreover, supreme court"},{"time":"4043.735","type":"text","text":"elections do not take place at"},{"time":"4045.871","type":"text","text":"the county level."},{"time":"4047.739","type":"text","text":"Upstate counties with sizable"},{"time":"4050.509","type":"text","text":"urban populations like erie"},{"time":"4053.145","type":"text","text":"county are included in judicial"},{"time":"4055.447","type":"text","text":"districts with several rural"},{"time":"4056.982","type":"text","text":"counties, heightening the"},{"time":"4059.018","type":"text","text":"challenge for a person of color."},{"time":"4061.586","type":"text","text":"The problem is also cyclical."},{"time":"4064.723","type":"text","text":"Let me share my own journey."},{"time":"4066.225","type":"text","text":"Becoming a judge or a trial"},{"time":"4068.494","type":"text","text":"attorney was not my plan when I"},{"time":"4071.13","type":"text","text":"was a child nor when I was a law"},{"time":"4071.363","type":"text","text":"student."},{"time":"4074.066","type":"text","text":"My vision of a career in the law"},{"time":"4076.935","type":"text","text":"was limited by the world around"},{"time":"4077.503","type":"text","text":"me."},{"time":"4079.505","type":"text","text":"I never imagined it because I"},{"time":"4084.209","type":"text","text":"didn't see persons of color in"},{"time":"4085.511","type":"text","text":"those positions."},{"time":"4087.246","type":"text","text":"With the lone exception of the"},{"time":"4089.715","type":"text","text":"larger than life thurgood"},{"time":"4090.082","type":"text","text":"marshall."},{"time":"4090.983","type":"text","text":"What changed for me?"},{"time":"4092.717","type":"text","text":"After graduating from law"},{"time":"4095.054","type":"text","text":"school, I sent by resume to the"},{"time":"4097.823","type":"text","text":"erie county district attorney's"},{"time":"4099.125","type":"text","text":"office, somewhat reluctantly."},{"time":"4101.227","type":"text","text":"While at the da's office, I"},{"time":"4103.896","type":"text","text":"developed a passion for trial"},{"time":"4104.964","type":"text","text":"work that led to stints in the"},{"time":"4107.133","type":"text","text":"attorney general's office and"},{"time":"4110.069","type":"text","text":"the U.S. Attorney's office."},{"time":"4112.471","type":"text","text":"It was only by developing a"},{"time":"4115.174","type":"text","text":"network and demonstrating my"},{"time":"4117.476","type":"text","text":"work ethic in those offices that"},{"time":"4120.846","type":"text","text":"I was afforded an initial"},{"time":"4123.282","type":"text","text":"appointment to fill a vacancy on"},{"time":"4125.184","type":"text","text":"the buffalo cy court."},{"time":"4128.554","type":"text","text":"During my years on city court, I"},{"time":"4131.024","type":"text","text":"sought selection for a supreme"},{"time":"4134.26","type":"text","text":"court candidacy time and time"},{"time":"4134.793","type":"text","text":"again."},{"time":"4138.098","type":"text","text":"Unfortunately, I was not"},{"time":"4138.464","type":"text","text":"selected."},{"time":"4142.518","type":"text","text":"So in 2002 I ran for erie county"},{"time":"4142.768","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"4145.817","type":"text","text":"I fought a contested primary and"},{"time":"4152.311","type":"text","text":"a contested general election."},{"time":"4155.514","type":"text","text":"This part is important because"},{"time":"4157.95","type":"text","text":"in order to even be elected at"},{"time":"4160.419","type":"text","text":"the county level, significant"},{"time":"4164.857","type":"text","text":"personal funds were required,"},{"time":"4167.96","type":"text","text":"and it is a challenge because"},{"time":"4170.664","type":"text","text":"then when I ran for that"},{"time":"4171.965","type":"text","text":"position, no one of color had"},{"time":"4174.133","type":"text","text":"been elected to the county"},{"time":"4175.668","type":"text","text":"court, so I shattered the view"},{"time":"4178.171","type":"text","text":"that it was not possible."},{"time":"4180.973","type":"text","text":"When I ran for supreme court, I"},{"time":"4183.91","type":"text","text":"had to run in eight contiguous"},{"time":"4185.578","type":"text","text":"counties, and as noted, they're"},{"time":"4186.616","type":"text","text":"rural."},{"time":"4188.181","type":"text","text":"That's a challenge."},{"time":"4191.417","type":"text","text":"The current system allows for"},{"time":"4195.388","type":"text","text":"county court judges, that is the"},{"time":"4197.256","type":"text","text":"propose, to be elected -- to"},{"time":"4199.192","type":"text","text":"become a part of the supreme"},{"time":"4199.426","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"4201.895","type":"text","text":"We have now seen that there are"},{"time":"4203.83","type":"text","text":"changes in albany county, erie"},{"time":"4206.199","type":"text","text":"county, oneida county and monroe"},{"time":"4208.935","type":"text","text":"where persons of are enclose are"},{"time":"4210.937","type":"text","text":"elected now to the -- color of"},{"time":"4212.038","type":"text","text":"take a look at county court."},{"time":"4213.439","type":"text","text":"So if the proposal goes through,"},{"time":"4214.875","type":"text","text":"it will immediately increase the"},{"time":"4216.576","type":"text","text":"judges of color who are"},{"time":"4220.313","type":"text","text":"available to be considered for"},{"time":"4221.348","type":"text","text":"the supreme court and thus a"},{"time":"4223.45","type":"text","text":"member of the appellate division"},{"time":"4225.284","type":"text","text":"if so appointed."},{"time":"4225.552","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"4228.221","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"4230","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101244","guid":"81bca1bf-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz"},{"time":"4230.023","type":"text","text":"Are you aware of any data"},{"time":"4230.857","type":"text","text":"regarding court of claims"},{"time":"4233.093","type":"text","text":"junction in the 3rd and 4th"},{"time":"4233.927","type":"text","text":"departments in terms of"},{"time":"4235.395","type":"text","text":"percentage of people of color?"},{"time":"4238.45","type":"text","text":">> it's not good."},{"time":"4239.833","type":"text","text":"I can specifically tell you with"},{"time":"4242.035","type":"text","text":"my own knowledge, in the 4th"},{"time":"4243.536","type":"text","text":"department there have been no"},{"time":"4245.539","type":"text","text":"judges of color selected to the"},{"time":"4245.905","type":"text","text":"court of claims."},{"time":"4248.475","type":"text","text":">> I mean, that's certainly,"},{"time":"4249.743","type":"text","text":"under this proposal, would have"},{"time":"4253.246","type":"text","text":"been one way to diversify the"},{"time":"4254.314","type":"text","text":"courts had there be appointments"},{"time":"4256.216","type":"text","text":"of people of color, but for"},{"time":"4257.784","type":"text","text":"whatever reason there aren't"},{"time":"4257.985","type":"text","text":"then."},{"time":"4259.986","type":"text","text":">> quite frankly, I think all"},{"time":"4262.222","type":"text","text":"options that are available to"},{"time":"4265.259","type":"text","text":"increase the potential for"},{"time":"4266.96","type":"text","text":"diversity should be explored."},{"time":"4268.962","type":"text","text":"It's not mutually exclusive to"},{"time":"4271.532","type":"text","text":"one proposal or another."},{"time":"4274.234","type":"text","text":"And as noted earlier, there are"},{"time":"4275.669","type":"text","text":"potential legislative changes"},{"time":"4278.939","type":"text","text":"that could also be included."},{"time":"4280.173","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"4281.608","type":"text","text":"And thank you for sharing your"},{"time":"4282.575","type":"text","text":"personal story."},{"time":"4284.411","type":"text","text":"I couldn't agree more with you,"},{"time":"4287.147","type":"text","text":"that it is abysmal, and we need"},{"time":"4294.054","type":"text","text":"to do better as a state was as"},{"time":"4295.321","type":"text","text":"legislator, as advocates for"},{"time":"4295.589","type":"text","text":"justice."},{"time":"4300","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101245","guid":"81c049a4-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"4303.463","type":"text","text":"The fact that we have such a"},{"time":"4304.231","type":"text","text":"unrepresentative judiciary"},{"time":"4308.702","type":"text","text":"really eats at the heart of our"},{"time":"4311.805","type":"text","text":"legal foundation, and litigants,"},{"time":"4315.809","type":"text","text":"I'm sure you know, feel"},{"time":"4317.445","type":"text","text":"dispossessed by just looking up"},{"time":"4323.117","type":"text","text":"at the bench and seeing who is"},{"time":"4325.252","type":"text","text":"presiding, not to mention the"},{"time":"4327.154","type":"text","text":"decisions that might come down"},{"time":"4329.624","type":"text","text":"because of unintentional bias."},{"time":"4331.558","type":"text","text":">> when I sat on the county"},{"time":"4333.593","type":"text","text":"court that was a situation on"},{"time":"4334.328","type":"text","text":"many days."},{"time":"4336.697","type":"text","text":"There were days that I was the"},{"time":"4339.333","type":"text","text":"sole person of color in the"},{"time":"4340.134","type":"text","text":"courtroom."},{"time":"4343.503","type":"text","text":"During one injury selection box"},{"time":"4346.974","type":"text","text":"there was a jury who had been a"},{"time":"4348.409","type":"text","text":"buffalo city school teacher who"},{"time":"4349.777","type":"text","text":"said that she could not sit on"},{"time":"4352.647","type":"text","text":"the jury because she was biased"},{"time":"4354.715","type":"text","text":"against persons of color."},{"time":"4357.518","type":"text","text":"The entire courtroom gasped."},{"time":"4360.22","type":"text","text":"But the manner in which that"},{"time":"4361.26","type":"text","text":"occurred and their ability to"},{"time":"4363.824","type":"text","text":"see that there were persons of"},{"time":"4365.993","type":"text","text":"color who could serve at all"},{"time":"4368.128","type":"text","text":"levels, I believe it impacted in"},{"time":"4369.396","type":"text","text":"a positive way the jurors that"},{"time":"4371.699","type":"text","text":"were present in the courtroom."},{"time":"4373.934","type":"text","text":"That's why diversity matters."},{"time":"4376.003","type":"text","text":"It is important, and you are"},{"time":"4377.538","type":"text","text":"absolutely correct."},{"time":"4379.24","type":"text","text":"I have participated in"},{"time":"4380.508","type":"text","text":"conferences, and the reverse"},{"time":"4381.842","type":"text","text":"question has been asked of"},{"time":"4384.478","type":"text","text":"majority persons, how would you"},{"time":"4386.346","type":"text","text":"feel if when you walked in, the"},{"time":"4387.815","type":"text","text":"persons who were going to judge"},{"time":"4391.86","type":"text","text":"your fate were all persons"},{"time":"4391.986","type":"text","text":"opposite your race?"},{"time":"4393.587","type":"text","text":"And people candidly stated they"},{"time":"4395.322","type":"text","text":"would not be so comfortable."},{"time":"4397.324","type":"text","text":">> it also goes to trust."},{"time":"4397.558","type":"text","text":"Right?"},{"time":"4398.159","type":"text","text":">> correct."},{"time":"4400.261","type":"text","text":">> in our system and that you're"},{"time":"4401.896","type":"text","text":"going get a fair shake when you"},{"time":"4402.73","type":"text","text":"walk into a courtroom."},{"time":"4403.965","type":"text","text":">> absolutely."},{"time":"4408.87","type":"text","text":"And you should be able to see in"},{"time":"4411.272","type":"text","text":"the court system that's what"},{"time":"4412.506","type":"text","text":"reflects our society."},{"time":"4414.943","type":"text","text":"We're a diverse society."},{"time":"4416.978","type":"text","text":"We why shouldn't justice reflect"},{"time":"4417.245","type":"text","text":"the same?"},{"time":"4419.881","type":"text","text":">> can you just restate your"},{"time":"4420.715","type":"text","text":"assessment of the chief judge's"},{"time":"4423.585","type":"text","text":"proposal and how it has an"},{"time":"4426.821","type":"text","text":"impact on that issue."},{"time":"4428.022","type":"text","text":">> well, I have noted, and"},{"time":"4430.558","type":"text","text":"because I've been paying"},{"time":"4431.86","type":"text","text":"particular attention, at the"},{"time":"4434.095","type":"text","text":"county court level there have"},{"time":"4435.096","type":"text","text":"been recent changes where"},{"time":"4437.032","type":"text","text":"junction of color are getting"},{"time":"4439.3","type":"text","text":"elected, and when in the past in"},{"time":"4440.835","type":"text","text":"some of the jurisdictions that I"},{"time":"4442.67","type":"text","text":"just mentioned, they weren't"},{"time":"4444.639","type":"text","text":"there."},{"time":"4445.273","type":"text","text":"So if they wouldn't even elected"},{"time":"4446.309","type":"text","text":"at the county court level, they"},{"time":"4447.375","type":"text","text":"couldn't be reached for the"},{"time":"4448.543","type":"text","text":"supreme court."},{"time":"4451.079","type":"text","text":"But it's taken such a long time"},{"time":"4454.128","type":"text","text":"for them to even shatter that"},{"time":"4454.882","type":"text","text":"particular ceiling."},{"time":"4457.986","type":"text","text":"So what I see with her proposal"},{"time":"4460.255","type":"text","text":"is now that there are increased"},{"time":"4461.789","type":"text","text":"number of judges of color that"},{"time":"4463.291","type":"text","text":"have been elected at the county"},{"time":"4465.36","type":"text","text":"level, they would be able to be"},{"time":"4467.596","type":"text","text":"considered for the appellate"},{"time":"4470.264","type":"text","text":"division."},{"time":"4474.635","type":"text","text":">> and in terms of some of these"},{"time":"4477.605","type":"text","text":"other legislative proposals, any"},{"time":"4478.573","type":"text","text":"mention of them?"},{"time":"4480.608","type":"text","text":"I know you're not endorsing any"},{"time":"4482.077","type":"text","text":"of them, but do you have any"},{"time":"4482.944","type":"text","text":"other thoughts?"},{"time":"4486.147","type":"text","text":">> there was a mention that with"},{"time":"4486.849","type":"text","text":"respect to the judicial"},{"time":"4488.65","type":"text","text":"districts, if there were an"},{"time":"4489.551","type":"text","text":"adjustment, certainly I would"},{"time":"4491.687","type":"text","text":"see that that would have a"},{"time":"4493.588","type":"text","text":"positive effect on upstate new"},{"time":"4495.89","type":"text","text":"york, but again, it's not just"},{"time":"4496.558","type":"text","text":"one answer."},{"time":"4499.828","type":"text","text":"We should look at all answers"},{"time":"4504.566","type":"text","text":"that can increase the trust and"},{"time":"4505.467","type":"text","text":"confidence, quite frankly, that"},{"time":"4509.037","type":"text","text":"our citizens have in our justice"},{"time":"4509.638","type":"text","text":"system."},{"time":"4510.505","type":"text","text":">> especially during this period"},{"time":"4513.542","type":"text","text":"of our american history when"},{"time":"4515.177","type":"text","text":"this foundation of justice is"},{"time":"4517.813","type":"text","text":"being questioned at the highest"},{"time":"4520.315","type":"text","text":"levels of elective office, we"},{"time":"4521.516","type":"text","text":"need to do more to address this"},{"time":"4524.052","type":"text","text":"issue, so I wanted to thank you"},{"time":"4526.955","type":"text","text":"for your services, as co-chair"},{"time":"4527.79","type":"text","text":"of this commission."},{"time":"4529.224","type":"text","text":"I know my colleagues, and I"},{"time":"4533.095","type":"text","text":"mentioned it once before,"},{"time":"4535.697","type":"text","text":"senator louie sepulveda and"},{"time":"4536.398","type":"text","text":"senator andrea stewart-cousins"},{"time":"4537.465","type":"text","text":"view this issue as a top"},{"time":"4538.667","type":"text","text":"priority for us as we move"},{"time":"4541.727","type":"text","text":"forward."},{"time":"4541.791","type":"text","text":">> and I do want to make clear"},{"time":"4544.406","type":"text","text":"I'm not representing the view of"},{"time":"4546.942","type":"text","text":"the commission today but as an"},{"time":"4547.476","type":"text","text":"upstate judge of color."},{"time":"4547.943","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"4548.51","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"4555.35","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"4560.856","type":"text","text":">> just to point out that in the"},{"time":"4562.625","type":"text","text":"3rd judicial district of the"},{"time":"4564.36","type":"text","text":"last four non-incumbents that"},{"time":"4568.964","type":"text","text":"have been nominated and elected"},{"time":"4570.799","type":"text","text":"who are democrats, two of those"},{"time":"4573.935","type":"text","text":"four non-incumbents, one was a"},{"time":"4575.705","type":"text","text":"member of the lgbt community and"},{"time":"4576.905","type":"text","text":"the other one wasn't"},{"time":"4577.907","type":"text","text":"african-american woman who"},{"time":"4579.775","type":"text","text":"happens to be from the town that"},{"time":"4581.043","type":"text","text":"I represent, so just so the"},{"time":"4581.51","type":"text","text":"record is clear."},{"time":"4584.146","type":"text","text":">> no, I am clear that there was"},{"time":"4586.248","type":"text","text":"christina riva that was elected"},{"time":"4589.3","type":"text","text":"to the supreme court, but at the"},{"time":"4590.375","type":"text","text":"time when the appointments were"},{"time":"4591.753","type":"text","text":"taking place, she had not yet"},{"time":"4594.99","type":"text","text":"been in a position where could"},{"time":"4597.159","type":"text","text":"be considered appoint to the"},{"time":"4598.928","type":"text","text":"appellate division from your own"},{"time":"4602.465","type":"text","text":"judicial district."},{"time":"4602.998","type":"text","text":">> okay."},{"time":"4603.833","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"4605.701","type":"text","text":">> thank you very much."},{"time":"4614.009","type":"text","text":">> next witness is -- it's a"},{"time":"4614.276","type":"text","text":"panel."},{"time":"4621.25","type":"text","text":"It's a panel of four"},{"time":"4625.921","type":"text","text":"individuals, honorable vincent"},{"time":"4627.056","type":"text","text":"del gi disfrom the court of"},{"time":"4628.758","type":"text","text":"claims judges association,"},{"time":"4630.192","type":"text","text":"honorable james quinn from the"},{"time":"4632.662","type":"text","text":"county judges association,"},{"time":"4635.298","type":"text","text":"honorable david guy from the"},{"time":"4638.1","type":"text","text":"surrogates' association, and"},{"time":"4643.906","type":"text","text":"honorable deborah car karalunas"},{"time":"4645.007","type":"text","text":"from the association of justices"},{"time":"4655.752","type":"text","text":"of the supreme court."},{"time":"4657.387","type":"text","text":">> who it wasn't to start?"},{"time":"4660.89","type":"text","text":"Why don't we start the way it's"},{"time":"4664.36","type":"text","text":"listed, judge vincent del"},{"time":"4665.494","type":"text","text":"giudice, court of claims judge"},{"time":"4665.795","type":"text","text":"association."},{"time":"4666.829","type":"text","text":">> good morning, everyone."},{"time":"4668.431","type":"text","text":">> yes, it's still morning."},{"time":"4669.765","type":"text","text":">> first I'd like to say that I"},{"time":"4672.535","type":"text","text":"represent the subdivision b, d"},{"time":"4673","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101246","guid":"81c34d16-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Hon. Vincent Del Giudice, President, Court of Claims Judges Association"},{"time":"4678.174","type":"text","text":"and e of the court of claims"},{"time":"4679.008","type":"text","text":"judges association, as you"},{"time":"4680.176","type":"text","text":"gentlemen know with regard to"},{"time":"4682.011","type":"text","text":"two sessions, the a, which are"},{"time":"4683.279","type":"text","text":"the constitutional judges that"},{"time":"4684.347","type":"text","text":"handle the cases against the"},{"time":"4686.249","type":"text","text":"claims against the state, and"},{"time":"4690.153","type":"text","text":"the b, d and Es, we are the"},{"time":"4692.121","type":"text","text":"56, currently now 53, it should"},{"time":"4695.658","type":"text","text":"be 56, judges that act as acting"},{"time":"4695.925","type":"text","text":"supremes."},{"time":"4697.46","type":"text","text":"My association is in full"},{"time":"4699.796","type":"text","text":"support of the chief judge's"},{"time":"4701.731","type":"text","text":"proposal to enhance the delivery"},{"time":"4703.834","type":"text","text":"of justice that the citizens of"},{"time":"4706.402","type":"text","text":"our state, but as judge marks"},{"time":"4709.272","type":"text","text":"mentioned, we have a few tweaks"},{"time":"4714.077","type":"text","text":"we would like you to consider."},{"time":"4716.512","type":"text","text":"We believe that it's important"},{"time":"4721.117","type":"text","text":"that we maintain dichotomy on"},{"time":"4721.851","type":"text","text":"the bench, on the supreme court"},{"time":"4724.954","type":"text","text":"bench with elected and appointed"},{"time":"4725.187","type":"text","text":"judges."},{"time":"4726.756","type":"text","text":"I don't want to discuss the pros"},{"time":"4728.792","type":"text","text":"and cons of either, but it's"},{"time":"4730.727","type":"text","text":"good to have a mix."},{"time":"4733.362","type":"text","text":"And as you are aware, that the"},{"time":"4736.533","type":"text","text":"court of claims are the only"},{"time":"4737.801","type":"text","text":"judges in the supreme court that"},{"time":"4739.836","type":"text","text":"the state legislature has any"},{"time":"4744.808","type":"text","text":"input to because we go through"},{"time":"4748.211","type":"text","text":"the conference proceedings confirmation"},{"time":"4752.916","type":"text","text":"plosion through the state senate."},{"time":"4753.95","type":"text","text":"Now, one proposal that we have"},{"time":"4759.055","type":"text","text":"to enhance the chief judge's"},{"time":"4761.558","type":"text","text":"proposal is that we lower the"},{"time":"4764.561","type":"text","text":"age of certification down to 74."},{"time":"4766.095","type":"text","text":"What this would do is eliminate"},{"time":"4769.633","type":"text","text":"the need for any certification"},{"time":"4771.734","type":"text","text":"whatsoever, which would be an"},{"time":"4774.605","type":"text","text":"immediate savings to the state"},{"time":"4776.773","type":"text","text":"of close to, I think it comes"},{"time":"4780.877","type":"text","text":"out to about $68 million because"},{"time":"4782.912","type":"text","text":"you wouldn't have a duplication"},{"time":"4785.962","type":"text","text":"of additional judges."},{"time":"4787.25","type":"text","text":"If the judges all knew that our"},{"time":"4789.619","type":"text","text":"term age would be 74, there"},{"time":"4791.154","type":"text","text":"would be no need for"},{"time":"4792.489","type":"text","text":"recertification, no need that"},{"time":"4801.545","type":"text","text":"when you hit 70 to be certified"},{"time":"4803.596","type":"text","text":"to continue and then another"},{"time":"4803.663","type":"text","text":"person takes over your seat."},{"time":"4803.715","type":"text","text":"Just maintain the same number of"},{"time":"4803.778","type":"text","text":"judges."},{"time":"4803.845","type":"text","text":"It adds to continuity exity"},{"time":"4808.672","type":"text","text":"eliminates the issue of certification."},{"time":"4810.406","type":"text","text":"Ab alternative would to"},{"time":"4811.608","type":"text","text":"eliminate the chief judge's"},{"time":"4812.409","type":"text","text":"proposal that you have to be on"},{"time":"4813.577","type":"text","text":"the merged supreme court for ten"},{"time":"4815.846","type":"text","text":"years before you could be"},{"time":"4816.313","type":"text","text":"certified."},{"time":"4819.216","type":"text","text":"Because that would eliminate a"},{"time":"4822.753","type":"text","text":"vast number of highly"},{"time":"4827.524","type":"text","text":"experiencedbecause that's May have been"},{"time":"4828.592","type":"text","text":"serving 15 to 20 years on bench,"},{"time":"4829.994","type":"text","text":"garnered all that experience,"},{"time":"4834.039","type":"text","text":"but won't have ten years in"},{"time":"4834.103","type":"text","text":"service on the new merged court."},{"time":"4836.433","type":"text","text":"That I think would be a waste to"},{"time":"4837.435","type":"text","text":"the citizens of our state"},{"time":"4846.491","type":"text","text":"because they would lose all that"},{"time":"4846.552","type":"text","text":"valuable experience that you can"},{"time":"4846.611","type":"text","text":"get nowhere else but being"},{"time":"4850.414","type":"text","text":"inside a trial court."},{"time":"4853.184","type":"text","text":"And that's our proposal."},{"time":"4856.22","type":"text","text":">> judge quinn."},{"time":"4857.822","type":"text","text":">> yes."},{"time":"4858.689","type":"text","text":"Good morning."},{"time":"4859.79","type":"text","text":"Thank you for the opportunity to"},{"time":"4862.159","type":"text","text":"speak with you today, and I"},{"time":"4863.727","type":"text","text":"appear before you as the"},{"time":"4865.963","type":"text","text":"President Of the new york state"},{"time":"4866.83","type":"text","text":"county court judges association"},{"time":"4870.267","type":"text","text":"of the state of new york whose"},{"time":"4871.902","type":"text","text":"membership supports the chief"},{"time":"4876.34","type":"text","text":"adjust judge's proposal for"},{"time":"4877.541","type":"text","text":"court consolidation with merge"},{"time":"4878.209","type":"text","text":"inner place."},{"time":"4880.21","type":"text","text":"It's very important that that"},{"time":"4882.045","type":"text","text":"aspect of the bill was pass,"},{"time":"4882.88","type":"text","text":"merger in place."},{"time":"4884.615","type":"text","text":"It it is and has bane privilege"},{"time":"4885.916","type":"text","text":"to serve the people of suffolk"},{"time":"4886","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101247","guid":"81c61aa6-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Hon. James Quinn, County Court Judges Association"},{"time":"4887.618","type":"text","text":"county where I come from as a"},{"time":"4889.286","type":"text","text":"trial judge, and I, too,"},{"time":"4890.02","type":"text","text":"personally recommend the"},{"time":"4892.723","type":"text","text":"consolidation of the plan."},{"time":"4894.158","type":"text","text":"I also start by acknowledging"},{"time":"4896.16","type":"text","text":"that in terms of judicial"},{"time":"4897.594","type":"text","text":"make-up, our trial courts not"},{"time":"4899.931","type":"text","text":"diverse and should be more so."},{"time":"4902.934","type":"text","text":"I frankly do not know the impact"},{"time":"4904.335","type":"text","text":"this proposal will have on"},{"time":"4906.003","type":"text","text":"judicial diversity without a"},{"time":"4907.338","type":"text","text":"further impact assessment in"},{"time":"4909.174","type":"text","text":"that area."},{"time":"4911.176","type":"text","text":"Such an assessment is necessary"},{"time":"4912.21","type":"text","text":"and I think important."},{"time":"4914.912","type":"text","text":"However, most importantly, our"},{"time":"4916.381","type":"text","text":"current unconsolidated system"},{"time":"4918.048","type":"text","text":"does not provide an accessible"},{"time":"4921.285","type":"text","text":"and fair forum for the litigant,"},{"time":"4922.62","type":"text","text":"especially the marginalized and"},{"time":"4924.655","type":"text","text":"the diverse families in our"},{"time":"4925.056","type":"text","text":"communities."},{"time":"4926.558","type":"text","text":"The people we serve daily,"},{"time":"4928.96","type":"text","text":"especially in our family court,"},{"time":"4931.462","type":"text","text":"have difficulty navigating our"},{"time":"4933.431","type":"text","text":"current cumbersome system."},{"time":"4938.102","type":"text","text":"I've practiced law for 36 years,"},{"time":"4939.203","type":"text","text":"25 years as a private litigator"},{"time":"4940.872","type":"text","text":"and 11 years as a judge."},{"time":"4943.074","type":"text","text":"I've appeared in every type of"},{"time":"4944.909","type":"text","text":"new york court except the court"},{"time":"4947.972","type":"text","text":"of appeals."},{"time":"4948.032","type":"text","text":"I've practied in midwest under"},{"time":"4948.413","type":"text","text":"the federal system."},{"time":"4949.78","type":"text","text":"When I began practicing in new"},{"time":"4951.983","type":"text","text":"york, it took me ten years to"},{"time":"4954.485","type":"text","text":"learn the complex jurisdictional"},{"time":"4957.188","type":"text","text":"requirements and the"},{"time":"4957.956","type":"text","text":"idiosyncratic practices of the"},{"time":"4960.424","type":"text","text":"individual courts."},{"time":"4962.661","type":"text","text":"My second judicial election is"},{"time":"4963.028","type":"text","text":"up."},{"time":"4964.228","type":"text","text":"It's behind me."},{"time":"4965.897","type":"text","text":"I won again last year for"},{"time":"4967.164","type":"text","text":"another ten years."},{"time":"4969.133","type":"text","text":"I have nothing to personally"},{"time":"4971.97","type":"text","text":"gain from this proposal and this"},{"time":"4974.005","type":"text","text":"amendment, but I think it's"},{"time":"4975.043","type":"text","text":"important."},{"time":"4976.708","type":"text","text":"The time has come to consolidate"},{"time":"4979.877","type":"text","text":"the complicated, outdated"},{"time":"4981.146","type":"text","text":"state's courtige infrastructure"},{"time":"4982.28","type":"text","text":"from 11 different trial courts"},{"time":"4984.782","type":"text","text":"into three sections with one"},{"time":"4986.751","type":"text","text":"state supreme court, having"},{"time":"4989.187","type":"text","text":"divisions in different"},{"time":"4991.689","type":"text","text":"subject areas, as the senator"},{"time":"4992.624","type":"text","text":"alluded to."},{"time":"4994.226","type":"text","text":"The consolidation's proposal,"},{"time":"4997.896","type":"text","text":"merge inner place, in its"},{"time":"4999.297","type":"text","text":"wisdom, respects the political"},{"time":"5000.598","type":"text","text":"boundaries of local and district"},{"time":"5002.767","type":"text","text":"wide elections."},{"time":"5004.903","type":"text","text":"I have worn multiple hats as an"},{"time":"5006.404","type":"text","text":"elected county court judge, but"},{"time":"5009.14","type":"text","text":"I have never sat as an elected"},{"time":"5010.475","type":"text","text":"county court judge."},{"time":"5012.244","type":"text","text":"I've been acting state supreme"},{"time":"5012.644","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"5014.246","type":"text","text":"I've been an acting surrogate."},{"time":"5015.847","type":"text","text":"And now I'm the supervising"},{"time":"5018.083","type":"text","text":"judge of the family courts in"},{"time":"5018.683","type":"text","text":"suffolk county."},{"time":"5021.553","type":"text","text":"Judges should be working where"},{"time":"5022.921","type":"text","text":"their aptitude meets the court"},{"time":"5024.889","type":"text","text":"rather than where they have been"},{"time":"5026.057","type":"text","text":"elected, and that's the purpose"},{"time":"5027.659","type":"text","text":"of this bill."},{"time":"5029.861","type":"text","text":"Some of this happens now."},{"time":"5031.496","type":"text","text":"There are county court judging"},{"time":"5033.431","type":"text","text":"at as family court judges."},{"time":"5035.767","type":"text","text":"A judge elected to the family"},{"time":"5036.868","type":"text","text":"court is the supervising judge"},{"time":"5038.704","type":"text","text":"of our district court."},{"time":"5041.76","type":"text","text":"We have court of claims judge"},{"time":"5042.373","type":"text","text":"sitting in family court and"},{"time":"5044.142","type":"text","text":"supreme court."},{"time":"5046.211","type":"text","text":"These situations are indicative"},{"time":"5048.58","type":"text","text":"of the constraint of the"},{"time":"5050.415","type":"text","text":"artificial titles we have been"},{"time":"5050.682","type":"text","text":"given."},{"time":"5052.217","type":"text","text":"Judges should be working where"},{"time":"5053.818","type":"text","text":"they are best suited and where"},{"time":"5055.754","type":"text","text":"they are best needed."},{"time":"5056.888","type":"text","text":"Because of the present court"},{"time":"5059.124","type":"text","text":"structure with its multitude of"},{"time":"5060.258","type":"text","text":"courts, with varying"},{"time":"5061.727","type":"text","text":"jurisdictions be with families"},{"time":"5063.194","type":"text","text":"in crisis May be forced to go"},{"time":"5064.696","type":"text","text":"from court to court for separate"},{"time":"5068.4","type":"text","text":"a judecation of judecation of readjudication"},{"time":"5073.638","type":"text","text":"of related matters, matrimonial,"},{"time":"5074.74","type":"text","text":"custody and domestic violence"},{"time":"5076.475","type":"text","text":"before different judges."},{"time":"5078.477","type":"text","text":"The integrate is in the supreme"},{"time":"5081.146","type":"text","text":"court is just illustrative of a"},{"time":"5082.881","type":"text","text":"microcosm of our consolidation"},{"time":"5085.284","type":"text","text":"will reduce the litigants' type"},{"time":"5086.986","type":"text","text":"spent in court, number of"},{"time":"5088.253","type":"text","text":"appearances and resources spent"},{"time":"5090.122","type":"text","text":"on child care and lost time from"},{"time":"5093.18","type":"text","text":"work."},{"time":"5093.24","type":"text","text":"Court consolidation will reduce"},{"time":"5095.193","type":"text","text":"multi-court appearances."},{"time":"5096.562","type":"text","text":"As judge marks pointed in the"},{"time":"5098.997","type":"text","text":"last hearing on November 13th,"},{"time":"5100.399","type":"text","text":"the hoops and open stacks the"},{"time":"5103.268","type":"text","text":"court must go through --"},{"time":"5104.203","type":"text","text":"obstacles the court must go"},{"time":"5106.038","type":"text","text":"through to get an individual"},{"time":"5108.874","type":"text","text":"before unjudge is just unwield"},{"time":"5111.932","type":"text","text":"lip."},{"time":"5111.985","type":"text","text":"Creation of a single major trial"},{"time":"5112.378","type":"text","text":"court of general countries are"},{"time":"5113.512","type":"text","text":"jurisdiction replacing the"},{"time":"5115.58","type":"text","text":"several courts that now operate"},{"time":"5116.816","type":"text","text":"will change the culture and"},{"time":"5117.382","type":"text","text":"interception of the family"},{"time":"5117.85","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"5118.918","type":"text","text":"Elevating its status and"},{"time":"5120.019","type":"text","text":"enhancing the judiciary's"},{"time":"5122.721","type":"text","text":"ability to ensure that family"},{"time":"5124.69","type":"text","text":"court is properly resourced."},{"time":"5127.36","type":"text","text":"In general, consolidation will"},{"time":"5128.394","type":"text","text":"enhance the efficient allocation"},{"time":"5129.262","type":"text","text":"of resources in the trial"},{"time":"5133.599","type":"text","text":"courts, leading to a more"},{"time":"5134.166","type":"text","text":"expeditious lives cases,"},{"time":"5135.401","type":"text","text":"especially where family,"},{"time":"5137.837","type":"text","text":"criminal and matrimonial are all"},{"time":"5138.304","type":"text","text":"in play."},{"time":"5139.772","type":"text","text":"Sitting in family court I can"},{"time":"5142.141","type":"text","text":"hear cust, I can hear"},{"time":"5143.172","type":"text","text":"visitatio, I can set support"},{"time":"5144.143","type":"text","text":"and parenting issues concerning"},{"time":"5145.978","type":"text","text":"a family, but the couple whose"},{"time":"5148.314","type":"text","text":"marriage is over has to go next"},{"time":"5149.882","type":"text","text":"door to supreme court and start"},{"time":"5151.984","type":"text","text":"another action to formally"},{"time":"5155.755","type":"text","text":"dissolve the marriage."},{"time":"5159.525","type":"text","text":"Also, you a you had looed to"},{"time":"5161.093","type":"text","text":"surrogates' court practice."},{"time":"5161.694","type":"text","text":"We have had actions where"},{"time":"5163.562","type":"text","text":"there's a fatality."},{"time":"5164.831","type":"text","text":"Before you can commence the"},{"time":"5166.198","type":"text","text":"wrongful death action, you have"},{"time":"5169.268","type":"text","text":"to go next door to surrogates"},{"time":"5170.169","type":"text","text":"area court and commence an"},{"time":"5171.237","type":"text","text":"action there."},{"time":"5172.544","type":"text","text":"This consolidation of functions"},{"time":"5173.339","type":"text","text":"is critical for the future of"},{"time":"5173.639","type":"text","text":"new york."},{"time":"5176.242","type":"text","text":"We are behind the times."},{"time":"5177.977","type":"text","text":">> could you wrap up."},{"time":"5180.279","type":"text","text":">> the chief judge for the"},{"time":"5181.48","type":"text","text":"jacker, there can be no hire"},{"time":"5183.282","type":"text","text":"priority than ensuring"},{"time":"5184.217","type":"text","text":"meaningful access to justice for"},{"time":"5187.271","type":"text","text":"all persons."},{"time":"5187.321","type":"text","text":"It is difficult enough for"},{"time":"5187.854","type":"text","text":"people facing issues which they"},{"time":"5189.856","type":"text","text":"need access to courts."},{"time":"5190.99","type":"text","text":"Custody case, criminal cases,"},{"time":"5193.093","type":"text","text":"neglect cases, estate cases and"},{"time":"5194.394","type":"text","text":"divorce cases."},{"time":"5196.229","type":"text","text":"In suffolk county with mow"},{"time":"5197.797","type":"text","text":"public transportation system,"},{"time":"5201.801","type":"text","text":"multiple courts mean mult court"},{"time":"5203.636","type":"text","text":"days dates, multiple days lost"},{"time":"5204.638","type":"text","text":"from work even when counsel May"},{"time":"5206.172","type":"text","text":"be assigned, different counsel"},{"time":"5207.74","type":"text","text":"are often assigned in district"},{"time":"5210.777","type":"text","text":"and family court for the same"},{"time":"5211.077","type":"text","text":"litigant."},{"time":"5212.312","type":"text","text":"As the litigants in these"},{"time":"5215.364","type":"text","text":"matters are often indigent and"},{"time":"5216.649","type":"text","text":"require legal representation by"},{"time":"5217.95","type":"text","text":"legal service providers, a"},{"time":"5218.951","type":"text","text":"further effect of consolidation"},{"time":"5220.853","type":"text","text":"will be able to enable these"},{"time":"5222.488","type":"text","text":"providers to use the same time"},{"time":"5224.924","type":"text","text":"freed up to represent more"},{"time":"5227.827","type":"text","text":"clients and the clients they do"},{"time":"5229.595","type":"text","text":"represent morey effectively."},{"time":"5231.03","type":"text","text":"I thank you for the privilege"},{"time":"5231.397","type":"text","text":"speaking to you."},{"time":"5232.432","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"5233.499","type":"text","text":">> judge guy."},{"time":"5235","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101249","guid":"81cbcded-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Hon. David Guy, President, Surrogate's Association of the State of New York"},{"time":"5236.565","type":"text","text":">> good morning."},{"time":"5236.637","type":"text","text":"Still."},{"time":"5238.471","type":"text","text":"Thank you for having us had to"},{"time":"5239.205","type":"text","text":"morning."},{"time":"5239.673","type":"text","text":"I'm david guy."},{"time":"5242.108","type":"text","text":"I'm a surrogate many boo county"},{"time":"5243.71","type":"text","text":"in binghamton and I'm also the"},{"time":"5245.378","type":"text","text":"President Of the new york state"},{"time":"5245.979","type":"text","text":"surrogates' association."},{"time":"5248.215","type":"text","text":"With me at the table is matt mi"},{"time":"5250.683","type":"text","text":"tone who is the recently elected"},{"time":"5252.052","type":"text","text":"surrogate in staten island known"},{"time":"5253.786","type":"text","text":"to you as his previous life as a"},{"time":"5254.487","type":"text","text":"a assembly person."},{"time":"5257.39","type":"text","text":">> it's very weird seeing him on"},{"time":"5258.291","type":"text","text":"that side of the table."},{"time":"5260.193","type":"text","text":">> it's very weird we go here,"},{"time":"5260.427","type":"text","text":"senator."},{"time":"5262.796","type":"text","text":">> with me are vince ver such a"},{"time":"5264.364","type":"text","text":"who is the surrogate in"},{"time":"5265.966","type":"text","text":"schenectady county and stacey"},{"time":"5267.801","type":"text","text":"pedit who sits in albany county"},{"time":"5269.369","type":"text","text":"who are here to provide moral"},{"time":"5270.169","type":"text","text":"are support."},{"time":"5272.238","type":"text","text":"As I judge I'm usually eliciting"},{"time":"5273.773","type":"text","text":"tem and how the tables have been"},{"time":"5274.007","type":"text","text":"turned."},{"time":"5275.909","type":"text","text":"As you know and as the senator"},{"time":"5277.811","type":"text","text":"has allude today before,"},{"time":"5279.245","type":"text","text":"surrogate court is I court of"},{"time":"5280.447","type":"text","text":"limited jurisdiction."},{"time":"5281.748","type":"text","text":"We have proceedings involving e"},{"time":"5283.817","type":"text","text":"states and everything related to"},{"time":"5286.885","type":"text","text":"estates."},{"time":"5286.948","type":"text","text":"We deal with guardian ships of"},{"time":"5288.155","type":"text","text":"minors and folks with"},{"time":"5289.656","type":"text","text":"disabilities and we deal with"},{"time":"5291.024","type":"text","text":"adoptions the surrogates in new"},{"time":"5294.294","type":"text","text":"york are a ever are air diverse"},{"time":"5295.896","type":"text","text":"group including many folks from"},{"time":"5297.598","type":"text","text":"underrepresented groups, people"},{"time":"5299.366","type":"text","text":"of color, lgbtq, and we have"},{"time":"5301.134","type":"text","text":"many women who serve as"},{"time":"5302.535","type":"text","text":"surrogates as well."},{"time":"5303.97","type":"text","text":"Surrogates court is not a"},{"time":"5305.605","type":"text","text":"prominent or a well-known court"},{"time":"5307.307","type":"text","text":"in the state, and one of the"},{"time":"5309.576","type":"text","text":"experiences we often have as"},{"time":"5310.611","type":"text","text":"surrogates is explaining to"},{"time":"5312.946","type":"text","text":"people what it is we do."},{"time":"5317.584","type":"text","text":"That process that we engage,"},{"time":"5320.62","type":"text","text":"engage citizens and motivates"},{"time":"5321.155","type":"text","text":"them to participate in the"},{"time":"5321.755","type":"text","text":"electoral process."},{"time":"5323.356","type":"text","text":"We have looked at this proposal"},{"time":"5325.225","type":"text","text":"through the lens of its stated"},{"time":"5326.66","type":"text","text":"purpose, which is to improve the"},{"time":"5327.827","type":"text","text":"delivery of justice to the"},{"time":"5329.663","type":"text","text":"citizens of new york, and in our"},{"time":"5331.966","type":"text","text":"view, as drafted, it does not"},{"time":"5333.567","type":"text","text":"fulfill that goal."},{"time":"5336.97","type":"text","text":"We have concerns from process,"},{"time":"5338.472","type":"text","text":"constitutional, statutory and"},{"time":"5340.173","type":"text","text":"also practical perspectives."},{"time":"5342.476","type":"text","text":"We were disappointed not to be"},{"time":"5345.279","type":"text","text":"consulted when this plan was put"},{"time":"5345.579","type":"text","text":"together."},{"time":"5347.515","type":"text","text":"It proposes to abolish our"},{"time":"5348.782","type":"text","text":"court, yet we were not made"},{"time":"5350.017","type":"text","text":"aware of it."},{"time":"5351.919","type":"text","text":"Nonetheless, we look forward to"},{"time":"5355.422","type":"text","text":"the opportunity to work with oca"},{"time":"5356.723","type":"text","text":"and having this potentially"},{"time":"5359.893","type":"text","text":"revised to a plan that we can"},{"time":"5360.127","type":"text","text":"support."},{"time":"5361.863","type":"text","text":"The fundamental constitutional"},{"time":"5365.432","type":"text","text":"issue for us is this: this"},{"time":"5367.602","type":"text","text":"propose changes the decision of"},{"time":"5370.771","type":"text","text":"who presides in our court from"},{"time":"5374.007","type":"text","text":"the citizens who elect us to"},{"time":"5375.076","type":"text","text":"appointed administrators at the"},{"time":"5377.178","type":"text","text":"office of court administration."},{"time":"5378.546","type":"text","text":"I've already talked about the"},{"time":"5380.848","type":"text","text":"process we go through to educate"},{"time":"5382.315","type":"text","text":"people on what it is we do so"},{"time":"5384.418","type":"text","text":"they can understand the court"},{"time":"5386.554","type":"text","text":"that we serve, and we should"},{"time":"5390.424","type":"text","text":"serve in the court where we are"},{"time":"5391.476","type":"text","text":"elected."},{"time":"5394.328","type":"text","text":"It's an effect of -- it could be"},{"time":"5396.43","type":"text","text":"target that it's effectively"},{"time":"5397.198","type":"text","text":"disenfranchises of our"},{"time":"5398.365","type":"text","text":"constituents or constituents"},{"time":"5399.2","type":"text","text":"with respect to the decisions"},{"time":"5401.769","type":"text","text":"they make with respect to their"},{"time":"5402.169","type":"text","text":"courts."},{"time":"5404.104","type":"text","text":"It's also been alluded to that"},{"time":"5405.606","type":"text","text":"we have some statutory usuals."},{"time":"5408.442","type":"text","text":"We have our own procedural laws."},{"time":"5410.978","type":"text","text":"We have differentphiles filing,"},{"time":"5411.679","type":"text","text":"different fee structures."},{"time":"5414.114","type":"text","text":"We are our own court of record."},{"time":"5418.185","type":"text","text":"Would all that be abolish with"},{"time":"5419.821","type":"text","text":"the ap big of surrogates' court?"},{"time":"5421.689","type":"text","text":"If not how is it integrated as"},{"time":"5422.323","type":"text","text":"massachusetts loves to say, the"},{"time":"5425.627","type":"text","text":"devil is in the details."},{"time":"5428.682","type":"text","text":"We are wont to say surrogate's"},{"time":"5430.098","type":"text","text":"court is different it."},{"time":"5432.033","type":"text","text":"Sounds very trite but it's true."},{"time":"5436.086","type":"text","text":"We could all regale you with"},{"time":"5436.604","type":"text","text":"stories of the distinctive"},{"time":"5438.973","type":"text","text":"informs our court and roll in"},{"time":"5439.274","type":"text","text":"it."},{"time":"5441.409","type":"text","text":"Stacey pettit who is here had"},{"time":"5443.778","type":"text","text":"years inside and out of the"},{"time":"5446.832","type":"text","text":"court, and she overcame of a"},{"time":"5449.05","type":"text","text":"lack of a party endorsement to"},{"time":"5449.851","type":"text","text":"win countywide election."},{"time":"5452.353","type":"text","text":"Judge titone after a dozen years"},{"time":"5453.988","type":"text","text":"here in the assembly chose to go"},{"time":"5455.123","type":"text","text":"back to his home county and run"},{"time":"5457.091","type":"text","text":"to be the surrogate, and he's"},{"time":"5460.061","type":"text","text":"already making connections that"},{"time":"5461.996","type":"text","text":"he has described to us with the"},{"time":"5463.164","type":"text","text":"guarding yaship families that he"},{"time":"5464.999","type":"text","text":"works with and whose"},{"time":"5465.7","type":"text","text":"guardianships will be in front"},{"time":"5467.201","type":"text","text":"of him and his court for years"},{"time":"5468.469","type":"text","text":"to come."},{"time":"5470.638","type":"text","text":"Judge versace and I are both"},{"time":"5473.108","type":"text","text":"examples of what we call"},{"time":"5473.774","type":"text","text":"multi-headers."},{"time":"5474.842","type":"text","text":"We're both elected surrogates"},{"time":"5477.411","type":"text","text":"but we have room in our schedule"},{"time":"5478.98","type":"text","text":"to serve other courts where our"},{"time":"5480.648","type":"text","text":"counties have need, and we are"},{"time":"5481.816","type":"text","text":"happy to do that."},{"time":"5484.385","type":"text","text":"None of us has any objection to"},{"time":"5486.321","type":"text","text":"those types of options, but what"},{"time":"5488.356","type":"text","text":"we do want is the ability to"},{"time":"5490.325","type":"text","text":"know we are going to serve in"},{"time":"5493.294","type":"text","text":"the court where we are elected."},{"time":"5494.462","type":"text","text":"So having set forth these issues"},{"time":"5497.732","type":"text","text":"that we think are concerns, we"},{"time":"5499.401","type":"text","text":"are willing to participate in a"},{"time":"5500.568","type":"text","text":"process that addresses them."},{"time":"5503.237","type":"text","text":"So we hope that the office of"},{"time":"5504.506","type":"text","text":"court administration can take a"},{"time":"5506.107","type":"text","text":"step back, bring all the"},{"time":"5508.643","type":"text","text":"necessary players to the table."},{"time":"5511.112","type":"text","text":"Some of these cheques could be"},{"time":"5511.946","type":"text","text":"effectuated in a more limited"},{"time":"5512.547","type":"text","text":"way."},{"time":"5513.948","type":"text","text":"We could expand the pool of"},{"time":"5515.55","type":"text","text":"folks who are eligible for"},{"time":"5525.617","type":"text","text":"appellate court jurisdiction."},{"time":"5525.685","type":"text","text":"We could expand the jurisdiction"},{"time":"5525.751","type":"text","text":"of particular courts."},{"time":"5525.818","type":"text","text":"We think we need to look at all"},{"time":"5525.884","type":"text","text":"the options, and in particular"},{"time":"5525.947","type":"text","text":"keep the distinctiveness of our"},{"time":"5526.528","type":"text","text":"court in place."},{"time":"5527.763","type":"text","text":"And that's all I have."},{"time":"5528.797","type":"text","text":"I don't know if matt has"},{"time":"5529.831","type":"text","text":"anything to add."},{"time":"5530.065","type":"text","text":">> sure."},{"time":"5531.533","type":"text","text":"I just want to address very"},{"time":"5532.834","type":"text","text":"quickly and maybe later we could"},{"time":"5534.302","type":"text","text":"get into the constitutional"},{"time":"5536.271","type":"text","text":"issues of the elections and"},{"time":"5537.272","type":"text","text":"disenfranchisement, but I just"},{"time":"5540.341","type":"text","text":"want point out that for the past -- from the last hearing"},{"time":"5542.344","type":"text","text":"that we had and from this one,"},{"time":"5545.58","type":"text","text":"it's always the family court"},{"time":"5546.848","type":"text","text":"that comes up as the example of"},{"time":"5548.616","type":"text","text":"what is wrong with the system."},{"time":"5551","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101250","guid":"81ce2c44-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Hon. Matthew Titone, Richmond County Surrogate Court Judge"},{"time":"5552.676","type":"text","text":"And so that should tell the"},{"time":"5552.73","type":"text","text":"state legislature that there's a"},{"time":"5553.789","type":"text","text":"problem there."},{"time":"5555.957","type":"text","text":"In my years in the legislature"},{"time":"5557.559","type":"text","text":"and running for election as"},{"time":"5559.394","type":"text","text":"surrogate, not once, not ever"},{"time":"5561.195","type":"text","text":"has a constituent come up to me"},{"time":"5564.633","type":"text","text":"and said, wow, 11 trial courts"},{"time":"5565.301","type":"text","text":"nevada that's problematicty ton"},{"time":"5568.236","type":"text","text":"and we need to change that."},{"time":"5569.038","type":"text","text":"I have on the other hand heard"},{"time":"5571.306","type":"text","text":"that we do need a veteran's"},{"time":"5572.674","type":"text","text":"court, that we do need a"},{"time":"5573.709","type":"text","text":"domestic violence court, that we"},{"time":"5575.41","type":"text","text":"do need a drug court, and all"},{"time":"5578.614","type":"text","text":"the way down the line, but"},{"time":"5580.348","type":"text","text":"never once, even when I was"},{"time":"5582.283","type":"text","text":"describing surrogates' court in"},{"time":"5584.62","type":"text","text":"my last election cycle, if you"},{"time":"5585.787","type":"text","text":"think explaining what the"},{"time":"5586.889","type":"text","text":"independence party is when you"},{"time":"5589.391","type":"text","text":"get petitioned, try explaining"},{"time":"5592.094","type":"text","text":"what the surrogates court is."},{"time":"5593.496","type":"text","text":"Never once have I heard that."},{"time":"5595.43","type":"text","text":"I think it's important that we"},{"time":"5596.966","type":"text","text":"look at what we want to"},{"time":"5598.133","type":"text","text":"accomplish from this bill and"},{"time":"5599.735","type":"text","text":"really bring the stakeholders to"},{"time":"5602.404","type":"text","text":"the table, and I think, senator,"},{"time":"5605.173","type":"text","text":"had that happened, there not"},{"time":"5607.142","type":"text","text":"have been a need for judge marks"},{"time":"5608.544","type":"text","text":"to come here and rebut what you"},{"time":"5609.377","type":"text","text":"heard last week."},{"time":"5610.279","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"5612.314","type":"text","text":">> judge karalunas."},{"time":"5615.017","type":"text","text":">> my name is keb deb law care"},{"time":"5616.785","type":"text","text":"lubes immediate past from the of"},{"time":"5617","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101253","guid":"81ddd641-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Hon. Deborah Karalunas, Vice President, Association of Justices of the Supreme Court"},{"time":"5617.886","type":"text","text":"the association of justices of"},{"time":"5618.654","type":"text","text":"the supreme court."},{"time":"5620.756","type":"text","text":"I speak on the association's"},{"time":"5621.457","type":"text","text":"behalf."},{"time":"5624.521","type":"text","text":"As a preliminary matter, I want"},{"time":"5625.394","type":"text","text":"to address a statement made last"},{"time":"5627.163","type":"text","text":"week by judge marks."},{"time":"5628.898","type":"text","text":"He said \"the chief judge's"},{"time":"5631.233","type":"text","text":"proposal would allow oca, \"to"},{"time":"5634.77","type":"text","text":"move resources around more"},{"time":"5635.104","type":"text","text":"efficiently.\""},{"time":"5637.072","type":"text","text":"new york state judges are not"},{"time":"5638.84","type":"text","text":"oca resources."},{"time":"5642.645","type":"text","text":"We are not oca employees."},{"time":"5645.347","type":"text","text":"Like you, we are constitutional"},{"time":"5647.082","type":"text","text":"officers, and our judicial"},{"time":"5650.286","type":"text","text":"independence from oca, like the"},{"time":"5652.021","type":"text","text":"legislative and executive"},{"time":"5655.257","type":"text","text":"branches, is indispensable to"},{"time":"5657.193","type":"text","text":"our democracy and the people we"},{"time":"5657.393","type":"text","text":"serve."},{"time":"5659.728","type":"text","text":"Granting oca authority tow shift"},{"time":"5662.531","type":"text","text":"judges from one position or"},{"time":"5664.166","type":"text","text":"jurisdiction to another"},{"time":"5665.234","type":"text","text":"endangers the freedom judges"},{"time":"5668.57","type":"text","text":"must have to make unpopular"},{"time":"5670.839","type":"text","text":"decisions when the facts and"},{"time":"5673.609","type":"text","text":"existing law compel it."},{"time":"5675.545","type":"text","text":"Moreover, contrary to oca's"},{"time":"5678.081","type":"text","text":"claim, the proposal does not"},{"time":"5679.081","type":"text","text":"simplify our courts."},{"time":"5681.917","type":"text","text":"While maintaining the many oca"},{"time":"5683.319","type":"text","text":"specialty courts created in the"},{"time":"5685.755","type":"text","text":"last two decades, the proposal"},{"time":"5688.991","type":"text","text":"merely swaps out 11 trial courts"},{"time":"5692.047","type":"text","text":"for 11 trial divisions."},{"time":"5692.928","type":"text","text":"All the while creating chaos in"},{"time":"5694.196","type":"text","text":"the judicial selection process"},{"time":"5698","type":"text","text":"by having a singular judicial"},{"time":"5699.135","type":"text","text":"office, supreme court justices,"},{"time":"5701.738","type":"text","text":"both elected and appointed by"},{"time":"5704.507","type":"text","text":"three different bodies for three"},{"time":"5707.643","type":"text","text":"different terms and vastly"},{"time":"5709.045","type":"text","text":"different sized jurisdictions."},{"time":"5710.947","type":"text","text":"Our written submission ceases"},{"time":"5713.849","type":"text","text":"many of the proposal's erroneous"},{"time":"5715.385","type":"text","text":"assumptions and failings and I"},{"time":"5718.44","type":"text","text":"can today will highlight three."},{"time":"5718.495","type":"text","text":"One, the problems in family"},{"time":"5720.223","type":"text","text":"court that result in multiple"},{"time":"5721.991","type":"text","text":"appearances before multiple fact"},{"time":"5724.227","type":"text","text":"findsers is a dilemma of oca's"},{"time":"5726.095","type":"text","text":"own making."},{"time":"5728.197","type":"text","text":"Correction of which does not"},{"time":"5730.566","type":"text","text":"require a constitutional"},{"time":"5731.468","type":"text","text":"amendment."},{"time":"5732.235","type":"text","text":"Two, timely and effective"},{"time":"5734.47","type":"text","text":"justice is best achieved when"},{"time":"5736.74","type":"text","text":"judges serve in the courts in"},{"time":"5737.874","type":"text","text":"which they have experience and"},{"time":"5740.576","type":"text","text":"for which they have passion."},{"time":"5742.111","type":"text","text":"Three, the chief judge's"},{"time":"5744.781","type":"text","text":"proposal will not improve"},{"time":"5746.682","type":"text","text":"much-needed diversity."},{"time":"5749.953","type":"text","text":"Point one, we can all agree"},{"time":"5750.52","type":"text","text":"multiple adherence before"},{"time":"5753.056","type":"text","text":"multiple tryers of fact in one"},{"time":"5755.125","type":"text","text":"case is not acceptable."},{"time":"5756.559","type":"text","text":"Litigants seeking divorce,"},{"time":"5758.895","type":"text","text":"custody protection and\/or"},{"time":"5761.298","type":"text","text":"support deserve better."},{"time":"5763.333","type":"text","text":"The problem however does not"},{"time":"5767.003","type":"text","text":"flow from jurisdictional divis"},{"time":"5769.573","type":"text","text":"between supreme and family court"},{"time":"5770.139","type":"text","text":"but from the administrative"},{"time":"5771.741","type":"text","text":"structure family court and oca"},{"time":"5773.07","type":"text","text":"creation."},{"time":"5774.644","type":"text","text":"For example, in my district upon"},{"time":"5776.847","type":"text","text":"filing a family court petition,"},{"time":"5778.982","type":"text","text":"a couple May see a family court"},{"time":"5781.117","type":"text","text":"judge, a court attorney referee"},{"time":"5783.286","type":"text","text":"for cust, a different court"},{"time":"5784.654","type":"text","text":"attorney referee for an order of"},{"time":"5786.389","type":"text","text":"protection, and a support"},{"time":"5788.825","type":"text","text":"magistrate for child or spousal"},{"time":"5789.826","type":"text","text":"support, and these fact finders"},{"time":"5793.329","type":"text","text":"May or May not consult with each"},{"time":"5793.53","type":"text","text":"other."},{"time":"5796.299","type":"text","text":"None of that confusion comes"},{"time":"5798.501","type":"text","text":"because of the constitution."},{"time":"5800.137","type":"text","text":"It occurs because unlike the"},{"time":"5804.2","type":"text","text":"commercial division where I sit,"},{"time":"5805.808","type":"text","text":"oca has not developed uniform"},{"time":"5808.945","type":"text","text":"rules, protocols and procedures"},{"time":"5812.649","type":"text","text":"to make for faster, smarter,"},{"time":"5813.75","type":"text","text":"cheap family court litigation."},{"time":"5816.386","type":"text","text":"One of the only oca efforts to"},{"time":"5817.721","type":"text","text":"reduce family court appearances"},{"time":"5820.223","type":"text","text":"occurred in 2001 with the"},{"time":"5822.66","type":"text","text":"creation of the first idp court,"},{"time":"5824.094","type":"text","text":"by the way a change made without"},{"time":"5824.928","type":"text","text":"a constitutional amendment."},{"time":"5826.93","type":"text","text":"The problem with idd and family"},{"time":"5828.231","type":"text","text":"courts is that they have not"},{"time":"5829.499","type":"text","text":"been properly organized,"},{"time":"5831.135","type":"text","text":"staffed, funded or implemented"},{"time":"5833.504","type":"text","text":"in every county."},{"time":"5835.539","type":"text","text":"Point two, the chief judge's"},{"time":"5839.593","type":"text","text":"proposal will create grave"},{"time":"5839.65","type":"text","text":"inefficiencies and injustices."},{"time":"5841.644","type":"text","text":"The law is highly specialized,"},{"time":"5844.181","type":"text","text":"and most legal consumers demand"},{"time":"5846.316","type":"text","text":"counsel with experience."},{"time":"5849.019","type":"text","text":"For example, if you had a"},{"time":"5850.554","type":"text","text":"contested custody dispute, would"},{"time":"5853.29","type":"text","text":"you hire a lawyer who handles"},{"time":"5854.225","type":"text","text":"motor vehicle casessome if you"},{"time":"5856.326","type":"text","text":"had a med mal claim, would you"},{"time":"5858.328","type":"text","text":"hire a lawyer whose practice is"},{"time":"5859.997","type":"text","text":"limited to criminal defense?"},{"time":"5861.432","type":"text","text":"Of course not."},{"time":"5863.267","type":"text","text":"So why should your constituents"},{"time":"5865.669","type":"text","text":"be saddled with judges who have"},{"time":"5868.538","type":"text","text":"little or no experience with the"},{"time":"5870.44","type":"text","text":"subject matter over which they"},{"time":"5872.209","type":"text","text":"will preside?"},{"time":"5874.077","type":"text","text":"Take for example again family"},{"time":"5874.344","type":"text","text":"corporate."},{"time":"5875.279","type":"text","text":"Currently judges who serve in"},{"time":"5877.448","type":"text","text":"family court chose to serve"},{"time":"5877.648","type":"text","text":"there."},{"time":"5881.351","type":"text","text":"They have family court interests and experience and"},{"time":"5883.02","type":"text","text":"are passionate about that work."},{"time":"5885.022","type":"text","text":"Under the chief judge's"},{"time":"5886.657","type":"text","text":"proposal, all that is lost."},{"time":"5889.059","type":"text","text":"If a district fails to elect a"},{"time":"5890.227","type":"text","text":"person with family court"},{"time":"5891.161","type":"text","text":"experience yet that is an area"},{"time":"5894.331","type":"text","text":"of need, who will fill it?"},{"time":"5895.299","type":"text","text":"Unfortunately, someone not"},{"time":"5896.667","type":"text","text":"equipped to do the job, and that"},{"time":"5898.502","type":"text","text":"trans plates lawsuits into"},{"time":"5900.671","type":"text","text":"delays, inefficiencies, expense"},{"time":"5902.673","type":"text","text":"and injustice."},{"time":"5904.742","type":"text","text":"The harm is exacerbated if the"},{"time":"5907.278","type":"text","text":"assigned judge is not magsat"},{"time":"5909.279","type":"text","text":"about family court matters or is"},{"time":"5910.715","type":"text","text":"allocated from a remote"},{"time":"5911.014","type":"text","text":"location."},{"time":"5912.65","type":"text","text":"I can think of no greater"},{"time":"5915.319","type":"text","text":"travesty or disservice to your"},{"time":"5916.12","type":"text","text":"constituents."},{"time":"5918.155","type":"text","text":"Point three, a review of"},{"time":"5919.523","type":"text","text":"historical institutional"},{"time":"5921.592","type":"text","text":"statistics demonstrates"},{"time":"5922.893","type":"text","text":"unequivocally that appointments"},{"time":"5924.662","type":"text","text":"by the officer -- office of the"},{"time":"5926.764","type":"text","text":"governor and mayor have not"},{"time":"5929.1","type":"text","text":"advanced judicial diversity."},{"time":"5930.401","type":"text","text":"Oca's appointments statistics"},{"time":"5933.171","type":"text","text":"are no better."},{"time":"5934.872","type":"text","text":"80% of the administrative judges"},{"time":"5937.275","type":"text","text":"outside the city of new york are"},{"time":"5939.81","type":"text","text":"white and 70% are male."},{"time":"5942.78","type":"text","text":"And as noted last week, oca"},{"time":"5944.148","type":"text","text":"statistics surrounding"},{"time":"5945.85","type":"text","text":"appointment of latinos to the"},{"time":"5946.984","type":"text","text":"new york city housing court also"},{"time":"5949.187","type":"text","text":"are dismal."},{"time":"5951.523","type":"text","text":"The chief judge's proposal does"},{"time":"5955.959","type":"text","text":"not serve its professed purpose."},{"time":"5956.794","type":"text","text":"Indeed empirical evidence"},{"time":"5957.996","type":"text","text":"conference that consolidation"},{"time":"5959.43","type":"text","text":"does not alleviate"},{"time":"5960.465","type":"text","text":"inefficiencies."},{"time":"5962.267","type":"text","text":"Instead it disturbance the"},{"time":"5964.468","type":"text","text":"constitutional foundation for an"},{"time":"5967.522","type":"text","text":"independent jacker I, imposes"},{"time":"5970.107","type":"text","text":"severe economic, societal and"},{"time":"5972.076","type":"text","text":"electoral costs, and engenders"},{"time":"5972.51","type":"text","text":"injustice."},{"time":"5975.847","type":"text","text":"We urge the legislature to leave"},{"time":"5977.816","type":"text","text":"our constitutional court"},{"time":"5979.116","type":"text","text":"structure, principally intact"},{"time":"5981.085","type":"text","text":"week focusing only on what needs"},{"time":"5983.121","type":"text","text":"fixing in a restraint"},{"time":"5984.055","type":"text","text":"circumspect manner."},{"time":"5985.056","type":"text","text":"Thank you for the opportunity to"},{"time":"5987.125","type":"text","text":"speak."},{"time":"5988.326","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"5990.194","type":"text","text":"I have just one or two"},{"time":"5990.628","type":"text","text":"questions."},{"time":"5992.631","type":"text","text":"I guess I'll ask it of judge"},{"time":"5993","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101251","guid":"81d7650d-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz"},{"time":"5994.899","type":"text","text":"titone because I think the"},{"time":"5996.634","type":"text","text":"surrogates courts in the city is"},{"time":"6000.038","type":"text","text":"different than the rest of the"},{"time":"6000.238","type":"text","text":"state."},{"time":"6002.64","type":"text","text":">> somewhat."},{"time":"6005.543","type":"text","text":"We have 28 or '9 full-time"},{"time":"6006.311","type":"text","text":"located at the surrogates"},{"time":"6007.278","type":"text","text":"including those in the city."},{"time":"6010.014","type":"text","text":"Other counties have"},{"time":"6011.449","type":"text","text":"multi-headers who are elected"},{"time":"6012.651","type":"text","text":"principally elsewhere."},{"time":"6014.385","type":"text","text":"The caseload is much higher in"},{"time":"6014.786","type":"text","text":"the city."},{"time":"6016.989","type":"text","text":">> mult head perps so in the"},{"time":"6018.69","type":"text","text":"city I believe we have seven"},{"time":"6019.558","type":"text","text":"surrogates, is that correct?"},{"time":"6020.425","type":"text","text":">> that's correct."},{"time":"6022.693","type":"text","text":">> five men and two women if I'm"},{"time":"6023.861","type":"text","text":"not mistaken."},{"time":"6027.365","type":"text","text":"Would you say that surrogates,"},{"time":"6028.266","type":"text","text":"probably throughout the state"},{"time":"6029.634","type":"text","text":"but certainly in new york city,"},{"time":"6035.94","type":"text","text":"are people who either come into it with expertise or"},{"time":"6037.576","type":"text","text":"quickly develop that expertise?"},{"time":"6039.177","type":"text","text":"Would that be reasonable to say?"},{"time":"6040.745","type":"text","text":">> I think that's very"},{"time":"6043.782","type":"text","text":"reasonable to say, and I want to"},{"time":"6045.75","type":"text","text":"point out that I think Mr. Steck"},{"time":"6048.953","type":"text","text":"had mentioned earlier, talking"},{"time":"6052.013","type":"text","text":"about the judge's clerk."},{"time":"6052.224","type":"text","text":"Under this proposal there's no"},{"time":"6053.058","type":"text","text":"guarantee that the judge would"},{"time":"6056.961","type":"text","text":"have a clerk."},{"time":"6060.265","type":"text","text":"It's quite possible, is it"},{"time":"6060.899","type":"text","text":"probable?"},{"time":"6061.833","type":"text","text":"I don't know, but it's quite"},{"time":"6063.068","type":"text","text":"possible that there would be a"},{"time":"6063.802","type":"text","text":"pool of clerks."},{"time":"6066.405","type":"text","text":"So the expertise there can"},{"time":"6069.808","type":"text","text":"letters vary and be changed."},{"time":"6071.176","type":"text","text":"But also remember that the"},{"time":"6073.245","type":"text","text":"surrogates' court, we're working"},{"time":"6076.014","type":"text","text":"in trust, wills and estates."},{"time":"6077.082","type":"text","text":"Guardian ships, which is the"},{"time":"6079.718","type":"text","text":"reason why I ran, I left my"},{"time":"6080.78","type":"text","text":"secure seat in the new york"},{"time":"6083.188","type":"text","text":"state assembly to run a very"},{"time":"6084.056","type":"text","text":"risky race."},{"time":"6085.657","type":"text","text":"People voted for me."},{"time":"6086.992","type":"text","text":"And now they're going to be told"},{"time":"6089.294","type":"text","text":"their vote does not matter"},{"time":"6092.664","type":"text","text":"should this proposal go through"},{"time":"6093.665","type":"text","text":"and as well as adoptions."},{"time":"6095.867","type":"text","text":"So, yes, it is very specialized"},{"time":"6097.736","type":"text","text":"but it's specialized into those"},{"time":"6098.236","type":"text","text":"three areas."},{"time":"6099.438","type":"text","text":">> one of the things which I"},{"time":"6101.64","type":"text","text":"brought up last week, and I"},{"time":"6103.609","type":"text","text":"didn't get all the information I"},{"time":"6107.079","type":"text","text":"needed, the surrogates' court"},{"time":"6107.946","type":"text","text":"appoints the public"},{"time":"6108.28","type":"text","text":"administrator."},{"time":"6108.947","type":"text","text":">> that's correct."},{"time":"6111.617","type":"text","text":">> in each of the boroughs of"},{"time":"6113.251","type":"text","text":"new york city, and I gets the"},{"time":"6115.454","type":"text","text":"council or councils to the"},{"time":"6117.623","type":"text","text":"public administrator which are"},{"time":"6119.758","type":"text","text":"very important positions."},{"time":"6121.46","type":"text","text":"I'm not clear, and I wasn't"},{"time":"6123.128","type":"text","text":"clear from judge marks -- maybe"},{"time":"6124.596","type":"text","text":"you know better -- how would"},{"time":"6126.565","type":"text","text":"that work under this proposal?"},{"time":"6130.621","type":"text","text":"Would we still have a public"},{"time":"6130.679","type":"text","text":"administrator's office who would"},{"time":"6130.749","type":"text","text":"be in charge of it?"},{"time":"6133.84","type":"text","text":"How would that person be"},{"time":"6133.925","type":"text","text":"appointed and so on?"},{"time":"6134.707","type":"text","text":">> this proposal doesn't address"},{"time":"6136.609","type":"text","text":"that at all, and that's a"},{"time":"6137.642","type":"text","text":"question that the surrogates'"},{"time":"6138.644","type":"text","text":"association does have, keeping"},{"time":"6140.946","type":"text","text":"in mind that we have to work"},{"time":"6142.714","type":"text","text":"very closely with our public"},{"time":"6143.048","type":"text","text":"administrator."},{"time":"6146.852","type":"text","text":"If you look at, for me, it was a"},{"time":"6148.053","type":"text","text":"long, hard decision to ensure"},{"time":"6149.288","type":"text","text":"that I had the right person that"},{"time":"6151.656","type":"text","text":"was appointed."},{"time":"6154.226","type":"text","text":"But it's also appointment of"},{"time":"6155.261","type":"text","text":"they counsel, and those are the"},{"time":"6156.729","type":"text","text":"people we want to be really"},{"time":"6158.798","type":"text","text":"ensure that they have the"},{"time":"6161.267","type":"text","text":"experience in that area of law"},{"time":"6162.935","type":"text","text":"because they're dealing with"},{"time":"6165.037","type":"text","text":"people who die without wills and"},{"time":"6166.038","type":"text","text":"people who die without"},{"time":"6167.606","type":"text","text":"properties, whatever it might"},{"time":"6169.642","type":"text","text":"be, so it's very complicated or"},{"time":"6171.377","type":"text","text":"can get very complicated."},{"time":"6172.544","type":"text","text":"Often the public administrator's"},{"time":"6176.448","type":"text","text":"office is used for service of"},{"time":"6178.751","type":"text","text":"process where there is no other"},{"time":"6181.72","type":"text","text":"way to serve process."},{"time":"6183.79","type":"text","text":"So it becomes very complex."},{"time":"6185.825","type":"text","text":"It could become very convoluted."},{"time":"6187.36","type":"text","text":"And if you're not experienced,"},{"time":"6189.161","type":"text","text":"it can get screwed up very"},{"time":"6189.395","type":"text","text":"easily."},{"time":"6190.63","type":"text","text":"But the proposal does not"},{"time":"6194.567","type":"text","text":"address what would happen to the"},{"time":"6195.167","type":"text","text":"administration of the public"},{"time":"6196.669","type":"text","text":"administrator's office."},{"time":"6199.305","type":"text","text":">> so it doesn't address it, but"},{"time":"6203.61","type":"text","text":"since there won't be a"},{"time":"6205.01","type":"text","text":"surrogate, the surrogate's not"},{"time":"6207.546","type":"text","text":"going to be appointed."},{"time":"6209.082","type":"text","text":">> this is why we're"},{"time":"6211.851","type":"text","text":"disappointed that we weren't"},{"time":"6214.32","type":"text","text":"brought in to participate in"},{"time":"6215.788","type":"text","text":"this, and certainly we want to"},{"time":"6216.456","type":"text","text":"be constructive."},{"time":"6218.357","type":"text","text":"We want to work with oca."},{"time":"6221.414","type":"text","text":"Wouldn't to work with the chief"},{"time":"6221.474","type":"text","text":"judge."},{"time":"6221.524","type":"text","text":"But these are all the questions"},{"time":"6224.798","type":"text","text":"that we have moving forward."},{"time":"6225.898","type":"text","text":"It's unclear."},{"time":"6228.635","type":"text","text":"And we don't know."},{"time":"6231.471","type":"text","text":"So to pass this as written would"},{"time":"6234.707","type":"text","text":"be folly in my opinion."},{"time":"6236.342","type":"text","text":">> let me turn it over to the"},{"time":"6236.843","type":"text","text":"senator."},{"time":"6237.777","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"6238.978","type":"text","text":"It's good to see you."},{"time":"6240.013","type":"text","text":"I appreciate your testimony,"},{"time":"6242","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101252","guid":"81da6790-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"6242.014","type":"text","text":"each and every one of you."},{"time":"6246.952","type":"text","text":"I wanted to ask judge guy and"},{"time":"6249.923","type":"text","text":"judge titone, good to see you,"},{"time":"6258.198","type":"text","text":"about the issue of of oca's"},{"time":"6258.531","type":"text","text":"determination."},{"time":"6262.368","type":"text","text":"Is it your belief that oca under"},{"time":"6265.438","type":"text","text":"this plan would actually make"},{"time":"6267.673","type":"text","text":"decisions about who sits in"},{"time":"6268.808","type":"text","text":"surrogate court without"},{"time":"6270.109","type":"text","text":"considering their expertise?"},{"time":"6272.679","type":"text","text":">> I have no expectation that"},{"time":"6273.613","type":"text","text":"that would be done."},{"time":"6276.082","type":"text","text":"But what I do have an"},{"time":"6278.318","type":"text","text":"expectation of is that if it's a"},{"time":"6282.889","type":"text","text":"generic ten-year county seat for"},{"time":"6284.157","type":"text","text":"supreme that's being -- that's"},{"time":"6286.793","type":"text","text":"up for election, there is no"},{"time":"6288.561","type":"text","text":"expectation on my part that"},{"time":"6293.232","type":"text","text":"people who want to sit on"},{"time":"6293.901","type":"text","text":"surrogates' court cases would be"},{"time":"6294.167","type":"text","text":"the ones."},{"time":"6296.87","type":"text","text":"I would not have been elected in"},{"time":"6297.67","type":"text","text":"such a system."},{"time":"6298.972","type":"text","text":">> did you --"},{"time":"6299.906","type":"text","text":">> senator, May I answer that?"},{"time":"6300.94","type":"text","text":">> yes, please."},{"time":"6302.609","type":"text","text":">> you're touching on a very,"},{"time":"6305.345","type":"text","text":"very important point."},{"time":"6307.614","type":"text","text":"I have wards in my court right"},{"time":"6310.984","type":"text","text":"now that go way back to two"},{"time":"6314.954","type":"text","text":"surrogates ago on staten island."},{"time":"6316.089","type":"text","text":"So there's a consistency there."},{"time":"6318.024","type":"text","text":"I know you asked the question"},{"time":"6319.393","type":"text","text":"earlier who benefits by this"},{"time":"6321.261","type":"text","text":"plan and I could give, off the"},{"time":"6324.097","type":"text","text":"top of my head, amanda lip steen"},{"time":"6326.499","type":"text","text":"benefits who has a very severe"},{"time":"6328.134","type":"text","text":"physical and mental"},{"time":"6329.536","type":"text","text":"disabilities, as well as justice"},{"time":"6332.038","type":"text","text":"gardner who is the daughter of"},{"time":"6334.842","type":"text","text":"eric gardener."},{"time":"6336.677","type":"text","text":"They went by having the benefit"},{"time":"6338.111","type":"text","text":"someone who knows their case."},{"time":"6339.546","type":"text","text":"I know every month what they'll"},{"time":"6341.014","type":"text","text":"be asking for, what kind of"},{"time":"6341.916","type":"text","text":"resources they need to get"},{"time":"6343.25","type":"text","text":"through the month."},{"time":"6344.284","type":"text","text":"We have streamlined how often"},{"time":"6345.819","type":"text","text":"they have to come to court to"},{"time":"6347.454","type":"text","text":"get what they want, and we've"},{"time":"6349.089","type":"text","text":"streamlined it down to one year"},{"time":"6350.557","type":"text","text":"if they have an extraordinary"},{"time":"6352.359","type":"text","text":"expense, yes, they have to come"},{"time":"6353.16","type":"text","text":"to court."},{"time":"6354.894","type":"text","text":"So when you have under this"},{"time":"6356.63","type":"text","text":"proposal different judges coming"},{"time":"6360.134","type":"text","text":"in at who knows what, when and"},{"time":"6361.402","type":"text","text":"where, not only with that judge"},{"time":"6362.77","type":"text","text":"possibly have to learn the law"},{"time":"6364.271","type":"text","text":"but they're going to have to"},{"time":"6367.475","type":"text","text":"learn who the families are when"},{"time":"6372.078","type":"text","text":"the family comes to their court"},{"time":"6374.414","type":"text","text":"in typically routine matters."},{"time":"6376.316","type":"text","text":"What aye if it's not routine?"},{"time":"6377.851","type":"text","text":">> wouldn't that be true, judge,"},{"time":"6379.653","type":"text","text":"of an elective surrogate judge?"},{"time":"6380.32","type":"text","text":">> I'm sorry?"},{"time":"6382.423","type":"text","text":">> it would be true of any"},{"time":"6384.491","type":"text","text":"elected surrogate judge, and"},{"time":"6386.594","type":"text","text":"there's no qualification, no"},{"time":"6387.828","type":"text","text":"offense to be a surrogate judge."},{"time":"6390.03","type":"text","text":"You do not have to have an"},{"time":"6391.298","type":"text","text":"understanding."},{"time":"6392.9","type":"text","text":"Do all of you're colleagues have"},{"time":"6394.434","type":"text","text":"expertise in surrogate law"},{"time":"6397.371","type":"text","text":"before they get length?"},{"time":"6397.971","type":"text","text":"I'm expecting I don't know the"},{"time":"6398.205","type":"text","text":"answer."},{"time":"6399.74","type":"text","text":">> most of them do."},{"time":"6402.243","type":"text","text":"Some do not, as the assemblyman"},{"time":"6402.442","type":"text","text":"noted."},{"time":"6405.746","type":"text","text":"The ones who don't gather the"},{"time":"6406.948","type":"text","text":"expertise quickly and have"},{"time":"6408.115","type":"text","text":"chosen to run that that court"},{"time":"6409.182","type":"text","text":"for that reason."},{"time":"6409.75","type":"text","text":"The issue --"},{"time":"6411.452","type":"text","text":">> they have chosen to run to"},{"time":"6412.953","type":"text","text":"gain expertise?"},{"time":"6413.988","type":"text","text":">> they've chosen triple crown"},{"time":"6415.523","type":"text","text":"to serve in that position and"},{"time":"6416.49","type":"text","text":"they are committed to gaining"},{"time":"6418.225","type":"text","text":"the expertise that they need."},{"time":"6419.727","type":"text","text":"The issue from our perspective"},{"time":"6420.995","type":"text","text":"is who makes the decision who is"},{"time":"6424.865","type":"text","text":"going the sit there and"},{"time":"6427.167","type":"text","text":"preside in that court?"},{"time":"6429.036","type":"text","text":"The citizens of the county or"},{"time":"6430.238","type":"text","text":"the administrators of the office"},{"time":"6431.406","type":"text","text":"of court administration?"},{"time":"6433.174","type":"text","text":">> senator, I'm sorry, but"},{"time":"6434.374","type":"text","text":"senator, cheep in mind when"},{"time":"6435.208","type":"text","text":"we're talking about the"},{"time":"6437.377","type":"text","text":"election, look at my election."},{"time":"6439.814","type":"text","text":"I ran in the brightest red"},{"time":"6442.316","type":"text","text":"borough that there is, and"},{"time":"6443.684","type":"text","text":"staten island voted, had the"},{"time":"6444.652","type":"text","text":"most votes for President Trump"},{"time":"6446.688","type":"text","text":"than any other county in the"},{"time":"6449.656","type":"text","text":"united states, yet I ran as an"},{"time":"6451.492","type":"text","text":"openly gay liberal democrat."},{"time":"6454.395","type":"text","text":"I had more votes than my"},{"time":"6454.862","type":"text","text":"congressman."},{"time":"6456.231","type":"text","text":"He won because he had a section"},{"time":"6457.398","type":"text","text":"of brooklyn that put him over"},{"time":"6458.265","type":"text","text":"the top."},{"time":"6461.369","type":"text","text":"That means that staten islanders"},{"time":"6462.437","type":"text","text":"from -- and my I don't know the"},{"time":"6464.338","type":"text","text":"at the republican party line,"},{"time":"6465.639","type":"text","text":"conservative party line and"},{"time":"6466.607","type":"text","text":"independent party line."},{"time":"6468.509","type":"text","text":"That means that people got out"},{"time":"6470.245","type":"text","text":"of their houses, as wouldn't"},{"time":"6472.213","type":"text","text":"them to do, took their ballot,"},{"time":"6474.115","type":"text","text":"went all with a down the ballot,"},{"time":"6475.449","type":"text","text":"kept going down the ballot, and"},{"time":"6477.085","type":"text","text":"they kept going some more until"},{"time":"6479.554","type":"text","text":"they got to the supreme court"},{"time":"6482.189","type":"text","text":"election, crossed the line, and"},{"time":"6483.158","type":"text","text":"voted for me."},{"time":"6485.126","type":"text","text":"So now what you're telling these"},{"time":"6489.18","type":"text","text":"people under this proposal is"},{"time":"6489.964","type":"text","text":"that even though titone made the"},{"time":"6492.967","type":"text","text":"case that he should be your"},{"time":"6497.571","type":"text","text":"surrogate for 14 years, in five"},{"time":"6498.84","type":"text","text":"years you know your vote doesn't"},{"time":"6500.241","type":"text","text":"matter anymore."},{"time":"6502.343","type":"text","text":"We're taking that away from you"},{"time":"6504.212","type":"text","text":"never before in the history of"},{"time":"6506.081","type":"text","text":"this state have we used the"},{"time":"6508.984","type":"text","text":"constitution to take away"},{"time":"6509.55","type":"text","text":"something."},{"time":"6511.118","type":"text","text":"We've always given something by"},{"time":"6512.653","type":"text","text":"constitutional amendment."},{"time":"6514.188","type":"text","text":"This is a frightening"},{"time":"6515.089","type":"text","text":"proposition and a it fruening --"},{"time":"6517.292","type":"text","text":">> I hear you."},{"time":"6521.062","type":"text","text":"I think what the voters were"},{"time":"6525.133","type":"text","text":"doing is ping titone for judge,"},{"time":"6526.902","type":"text","text":"I mean did picking titone for"},{"time":"6527.468","type":"text","text":"judge."},{"time":"6531.706","type":"text","text":"I would be hard-pressed to find"},{"time":"6532.674","type":"text","text":"a"},{"time":"6534.041","type":"text","text":"constituent of mine who knows"},{"time":"6535.677","type":"text","text":"what a surrogate is."},{"time":"6537.946","type":"text","text":">> you didn't go door-knocking"},{"time":"6538.713","type":"text","text":"every day."},{"time":"6540.815","type":"text","text":">> I think matt titone got"},{"time":"6541.816","type":"text","text":"elected as judge."},{"time":"6542.851","type":"text","text":"But I hear you."},{"time":"6544.318","type":"text","text":"My follow-up to that is, my"},{"time":"6545.587","type":"text","text":"follow-up is you said that you"},{"time":"6550.124","type":"text","text":"want the work with oca on some"},{"time":"6551.225","type":"text","text":"suggestions and want to"},{"time":"6554.896","type":"text","text":"collaborate because you do see"},{"time":"6557.065","type":"text","text":"problems system wide that oca is"},{"time":"6558.166","type":"text","text":"trying to address."},{"time":"6559.167","type":"text","text":"What are your suggestions for"},{"time":"6559.601","type":"text","text":"improvements?"},{"time":"6561.369","type":"text","text":">> these are included in our"},{"time":"6563.205","type":"text","text":"written testimony as well."},{"time":"6564.772","type":"text","text":"If the positions were"},{"time":"6566.908","type":"text","text":"designated, that would go a long"},{"time":"6570.011","type":"text","text":"way towards continuing the"},{"time":"6571.212","type":"text","text":"since's right to be putting the"},{"time":"6574.048","type":"text","text":"people in the seats to handle --"},{"time":"6575.751","type":"text","text":">> do you not want to be"},{"time":"6576.852","type":"text","text":"considered for appellate"},{"time":"6577.753","type":"text","text":"division under this proposal?"},{"time":"6579.688","type":"text","text":">> I have no interest in going"},{"time":"6581.389","type":"text","text":"tote appellate division."},{"time":"6583.492","type":"text","text":">> don't you think speaking of"},{"time":"6584.626","type":"text","text":"expertise, don't you think"},{"time":"6586.728","type":"text","text":"there's some value in having"},{"time":"6589.331","type":"text","text":"judges with your expertise at"},{"time":"6590.165","type":"text","text":"the appellate division?"},{"time":"6591.333","type":"text","text":">> absolutely."},{"time":"6591.8","type":"text","text":"So if --"},{"time":"6594.068","type":"text","text":">> so that part you're okay"},{"time":"6594.269","type":"text","text":"with."},{"time":"6595.737","type":"text","text":">> among our recommendations"},{"time":"6597.406","type":"text","text":"would be that the pool of judges"},{"time":"6599.241","type":"text","text":"from whom the appellate division"},{"time":"6601.342","type":"text","text":"could be selected would be"},{"time":"6601.61","type":"text","text":"expanded."},{"time":"6605.813","type":"text","text":"The other primary suggestion we"},{"time":"6608.083","type":"text","text":"have is that the positions be"},{"time":"6608.383","type":"text","text":"designated."},{"time":"6610.352","type":"text","text":"And the third primary suggestion"},{"time":"6612.02","type":"text","text":"we have is that we remain our"},{"time":"6614.189","type":"text","text":"own courts of record because of"},{"time":"6616.191","type":"text","text":"the sensitivity and the tenure"},{"time":"6618.627","type":"text","text":"of our cases and the specialized"},{"time":"6620.195","type":"text","text":"nature of them and the staff"},{"time":"6621.93","type":"text","text":"that support them, that they be"},{"time":"6622.231","type":"text","text":"retained."},{"time":"6623.598","type":"text","text":">> that's helpful to know."},{"time":"6624.2","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"6624.532","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"6625.167","type":"text","text":"Did you have manage?"},{"time":"6626.869","type":"text","text":">> yeah, so I just wanted to add"},{"time":"6628.504","type":"text","text":"as part of our written"},{"time":"6630.039","type":"text","text":"submission we have a proposed"},{"time":"6632.14","type":"text","text":"ballot, and it shows basically"},{"time":"6633.408","type":"text","text":"what will have happened under"},{"time":"6633.875","type":"text","text":"this system."},{"time":"6635.878","type":"text","text":"Voters are going to elect"},{"time":"6636.445","type":"text","text":"supreme court judges."},{"time":"6638.214","type":"text","text":"They're not going to elect a"},{"time":"6638.48","type":"text","text":"surrogate."},{"time":"6640.382","type":"text","text":"They're not going to elect the"},{"time":"6641.016","type":"text","text":"family court judge."},{"time":"6643.619","type":"text","text":"They're not going to elect a"},{"time":"6644.653","type":"text","text":"supreme court judge."},{"time":"6650.392","type":"text","text":"Beyond the fact that then -- and"},{"time":"6652.128","type":"text","text":"as judge marks responded to"},{"time":"6655.264","type":"text","text":"assemblyman steck, the"},{"time":"6656.966","type":"text","text":"assignments would be random was"},{"time":"6659.068","type":"text","text":"the word ha thank he used, and I"},{"time":"6660.469","type":"text","text":"think that's the concern."},{"time":"6662.671","type":"text","text":"I was a commercial litigator for"},{"time":"6663.306","type":"text","text":"20 years."},{"time":"6665.808","type":"text","text":"I would not have run for supreme"},{"time":"6668.744","type":"text","text":"court if I thought that I would"},{"time":"6670.946","type":"text","text":"be doing something other than"},{"time":"6675.017","type":"text","text":"civil litigation because that's"},{"time":"6676.952","type":"text","text":"not my experience or my"},{"time":"6679.355","type":"text","text":"expertise or my passion, and"},{"time":"6681.223","type":"text","text":"that's what this proposal does."},{"time":"6683.559","type":"text","text":"It makes it like we're all the"},{"time":"6684.326","type":"text","text":"same."},{"time":"6686.462","type":"text","text":"And I think our constituents,"},{"time":"6687.563","type":"text","text":"your constituents deserve"},{"time":"6688.197","type":"text","text":"better."},{"time":"6689.899","type":"text","text":"They deserve judges with passion"},{"time":"6693.035","type":"text","text":"for that particular type of law."},{"time":"6695.338","type":"text","text":"And just like I said in my"},{"time":"6697.54","type":"text","text":"remarks, the law is very"},{"time":"6699.174","type":"text","text":"specialized now, and if oca has"},{"time":"6702.946","type":"text","text":"the ability to transfer me"},{"time":"6704.78","type":"text","text":"because there's a need in county"},{"time":"6705.013","type":"text","text":"court --"},{"time":"6707.15","type":"text","text":">> don't they, judge, don't they"},{"time":"6708.25","type":"text","text":"currently have that a about it"},{"time":"6708.518","type":"text","text":"is this."},{"time":"6710.019","type":"text","text":">> they have the a brittle to"},{"time":"6712.021","type":"text","text":"ask me if I want to voluntarily"},{"time":"6713.622","type":"text","text":"go cover down in bronx, and I"},{"time":"6714.857","type":"text","text":"would gladly do that."},{"time":"6716.759","type":"text","text":">> so they already have -- let's"},{"time":"6718.027","type":"text","text":"stipulate they all right have"},{"time":"6718.328","type":"text","text":"that power."},{"time":"6720.029","type":"text","text":">> not power to make me do"},{"time":"6721.497","type":"text","text":"family court, on or county court"},{"time":"6723.299","type":"text","text":"work or surrogate court work."},{"time":"6725.268","type":"text","text":"That's the real diffence here"},{"time":"6727.47","type":"text","text":"because they can ask us to go to"},{"time":"6729.906","type":"text","text":"the same court in a different"},{"time":"6730.239","type":"text","text":"jurisdiction."},{"time":"6732.609","type":"text","text":">> how do you think they"},{"time":"6736.045","type":"text","text":"currently use the power they"},{"time":"6737.914","type":"text","text":"have to deploy acting supreme"},{"time":"6740.182","type":"text","text":"court justices and other judges"},{"time":"6741.05","type":"text","text":"who wear multiple hats?"},{"time":"6744.22","type":"text","text":"Do you think -- is there"},{"time":"6747.456","type":"text","text":"discontent among your"},{"time":"6750.126","type":"text","text":"professionals as to their"},{"time":"6750.727","type":"text","text":"assignment abilities in that"},{"time":"6751.794","type":"text","text":"regard?"},{"time":"6752.729","type":"text","text":">> I don't know that I"},{"time":"6753.997","type":"text","text":"understand your question."},{"time":"6756.699","type":"text","text":">> are they abusing their power"},{"time":"6759.335","type":"text","text":"now in reassigning acting"},{"time":"6760.603","type":"text","text":"supreme court justices, in your"},{"time":"6760.837","type":"text","text":"opinion?"},{"time":"6762.772","type":"text","text":">> oh acting supreme court"},{"time":"6763.106","type":"text","text":"judges?"},{"time":"6764.607","type":"text","text":"No, because I do think there"},{"time":"6766.375","type":"text","text":"probably needs to be more"},{"time":"6767.71","type":"text","text":"supreme court judges."},{"time":"6768.812","type":"text","text":"Judge marks shed another"},{"time":"6769.846","type":"text","text":"anything on that very issue."},{"time":"6771.514","type":"text","text":"He said it's a bad system"},{"time":"6773.85","type":"text","text":"because he gets to appoint"},{"time":"6775.218","type":"text","text":"one-half of the supreme court"},{"time":"6777.988","type":"text","text":"judges in new york city because"},{"time":"6780.123","type":"text","text":"he makes them acting supreme"},{"time":"6781.358","type":"text","text":"from some other thing."},{"time":"6782.692","type":"text","text":"This proposal doesn't change"},{"time":"6787.097","type":"text","text":"that because he can make every"},{"time":"6788.765","type":"text","text":"judge a supreme court civil"},{"time":"6790.9","type":"text","text":"judge now or a supreme court in"},{"time":"6792.969","type":"text","text":"the city criminal judge under"},{"time":"6794.037","type":"text","text":"this proposal."},{"time":"6798.074","type":"text","text":"So when he said it was bad that"},{"time":"6800.911","type":"text","text":"he now is selecting the supreme"},{"time":"6802.979","type":"text","text":"court judges because he can make"},{"time":"6805.649","type":"text","text":"people acting, under this system"},{"time":"6807.517","type":"text","text":"meek make anybody anything."},{"time":"6811.821","type":"text","text":"So I didn't under his remark"},{"time":"6813.457","type":"text","text":"that this was -- this is good"},{"time":"6815.292","type":"text","text":"but that was bad."},{"time":"6816.826","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"6820.496","type":"text","text":">> senator, May I follow up?"},{"time":"6823.333","type":"text","text":"My -- the surrogate court"},{"time":"6825.268","type":"text","text":"caseload in binghamton is not"},{"time":"6827.07","type":"text","text":"sufficient to keep me busy-time,"},{"time":"6828.538","type":"text","text":"so I am asked by my"},{"time":"6830.473","type":"text","text":"administrative judge, by oca to"},{"time":"6831.875","type":"text","text":"do other types of work week"},{"time":"6834.411","type":"text","text":"which I gladly do as judge care"},{"time":"6835.111","type":"text","text":"luna said."},{"time":"6836.946","type":"text","text":"The difference is I cannot be"},{"time":"6837.78","type":"text","text":"asked to do exclusively"},{"time":"6838.682","type":"text","text":"something else."},{"time":"6840.583","type":"text","text":"I was elected to be the"},{"time":"6840.884","type":"text","text":"surrogate."},{"time":"6842.518","type":"text","text":"That is the court of the"},{"time":"6844.754","type":"text","text":"practice that I serve."},{"time":"6846.39","type":"text","text":"I do do other cases."},{"time":"6848.759","type":"text","text":"Do article 81 cases in my"},{"time":"6849.593","type":"text","text":"district cases."},{"time":"6851.795","type":"text","text":"I do article 9 cases in my"},{"time":"6852.128","type":"text","text":"county."},{"time":"6856.566","type":"text","text":"So there's not any lack of"},{"time":"6857.768","type":"text","text":"interest and effort among the"},{"time":"6860.337","type":"text","text":"jacker to pitch in and do what"},{"time":"6861.571","type":"text","text":"the court system needs."},{"time":"6863.34","type":"text","text":"The question is who controls and"},{"time":"6865.476","type":"text","text":"to what extent do they control."},{"time":"6870.214","type":"text","text":"I'm happy to be asked to step up"},{"time":"6870.58","type":"text","text":"and serve."},{"time":"6872.416","type":"text","text":"I do not want to be told when I"},{"time":"6873.65","type":"text","text":"have been elected to do"},{"time":"6874.652","type":"text","text":"something else."},{"time":"6876.787","type":"text","text":">> you can expand jurisdiction"},{"time":"6878.455","type":"text","text":"legislatively so you can expand"},{"time":"6880.19","type":"text","text":"jurisdiction of the surrogates"},{"time":"6881.759","type":"text","text":"to include wrongful death, and"},{"time":"6884.995","type":"text","text":"that would help to alleviate the"},{"time":"6885.996","type":"text","text":"caseloads of many supreme court"},{"time":"6886.93","type":"text","text":"judges downstate."},{"time":"6889.933","type":"text","text":"You could expand jurisdiction"},{"time":"6891.468","type":"text","text":"to allow the surrogates that"},{"time":"6893.17","type":"text","text":"only the article 81s."},{"time":"6894.772","type":"text","text":"I'd be mown happy to do that in"},{"time":"6895.906","type":"text","text":"my court."},{"time":"6897.108","type":"text","text":"-- more than happy to do that in"},{"time":"6897.908","type":"text","text":"my court."},{"time":"6899.609","type":"text","text":"These are things that should be"},{"time":"6902.746","type":"text","text":"in my opinion be explored."},{"time":"6904.348","type":"text","text":"What we can do legislatively to"},{"time":"6906.75","type":"text","text":"accomplish the goals of the"},{"time":"6908.052","type":"text","text":"excellent initiative of chief"},{"time":"6908.252","type":"text","text":"judge."},{"time":"6909.486","type":"text","text":">> I don't have any other"},{"time":"6909.753","type":"text","text":"questions."},{"time":"6911.822","type":"text","text":"Thank you so much."},{"time":"6915.092","type":"text","text":">> judge karalunas, if I May, I"},{"time":"6916.46","type":"text","text":"duprey with you wholeheartedly,"},{"time":"6917.361","type":"text","text":"with your presentation,"},{"time":"6918.296","type":"text","text":"especially as you addressed the"},{"time":"6920.131","type":"text","text":"family court issues, one of the"},{"time":"6921.899","type":"text","text":"reasons why I haven't set foot"},{"time":"6923.167","type":"text","text":"back there in a number of years."},{"time":"6925.702","type":"text","text":"And it seems to be so ridiculous"},{"time":"6927.605","type":"text","text":"that someone goes in there"},{"time":"6928.839","type":"text","text":"with a petition, and as you"},{"time":"6930.408","type":"text","text":"point out, four different people"},{"time":"6932.042","type":"text","text":"are dealing with that family."},{"time":"6934.278","type":"text","text":"They've taint away from judges"},{"time":"6936.213","type":"text","text":"and they've can be I thinkiy"},{"time":"6937.314","type":"text","text":"they're overused these hearing"},{"time":"6939.983","type":"text","text":"officers and things of that"},{"time":"6940.784","type":"text","text":"nature."},{"time":"6941.952","type":"text","text":"However, one of the seems to me"},{"time":"6943.921","type":"text","text":"to be an easy remedy, and gist"},{"time":"6946","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101254","guid":"81e04fa3-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblyman Michael Montesano"},{"time":"6946.023","type":"text","text":"want your thought, is if we"},{"time":"6950.361","type":"text","text":"amended the constitution to"},{"time":"6951.395","type":"text","text":"permit judges in the family"},{"time":"6952.83","type":"text","text":"court to dissolve a marriage,"},{"time":"6954.465","type":"text","text":"that seems to be the only"},{"time":"6955.733","type":"text","text":"outstanding part since we do"},{"time":"6956.367","type":"text","text":"everything else in the family"},{"time":"6957.969","type":"text","text":"court but for the dissolution of"},{"time":"6959.57","type":"text","text":"the marriage."},{"time":"6961.072","type":"text","text":"So if the constitution then"},{"time":"6962.373","type":"text","text":"permitted that to take place in"},{"time":"6964.108","type":"text","text":"the family court, that court"},{"time":"6964.909","type":"text","text":"could actually function the way"},{"time":"6967.945","type":"text","text":"it does now on its own."},{"time":"6968.312","type":"text","text":">> certainly."},{"time":"6969.813","type":"text","text":"And it actually functions that"},{"time":"6971.915","type":"text","text":"way now because in my county I"},{"time":"6973.684","type":"text","text":"think all but one of the family"},{"time":"6976.053","type":"text","text":"court judges are acting supreme"},{"time":"6977.188","type":"text","text":"court judges so they already"},{"time":"6980.424","type":"text","text":"have that power to dissolve the"},{"time":"6981.993","type":"text","text":"marriage in as a family court"},{"time":"6983.327","type":"text","text":"judge because they're acting."},{"time":"6984.095","type":"text","text":">> right."},{"time":"6986.731","type":"text","text":"And that works out fine upstate."},{"time":"6988.265","type":"text","text":"Of course, downstate in nassau"},{"time":"6990.768","type":"text","text":"county where I practice, it's a"},{"time":"6991.035","type":"text","text":"nightmare."},{"time":"6992.436","type":"text","text":"And, you know, it was pointed"},{"time":"6994.905","type":"text","text":"out you could be not only in"},{"time":"6996.541","type":"text","text":"three different courts, three"},{"time":"6997.809","type":"text","text":"different buildings traveling a"},{"time":"6998.943","type":"text","text":"half hour down the road to"},{"time":"7000.244","type":"text","text":"family court, then you're back"},{"time":"7001.979","type":"text","text":"in the county court building to"},{"time":"7003.648","type":"text","text":"the domestic violence part, then"},{"time":"7005.916","type":"text","text":"you're across the treat street"},{"time":"7007.919","type":"text","text":"to the matrimonial part and it"},{"time":"7009.32","type":"text","text":"gets everybody crazy."},{"time":"7010.955","type":"text","text":"There's different clerks,"},{"time":"7015.008","type":"text","text":"different everybody."},{"time":"7015.063","type":"text","text":">> and this not change because"},{"time":"7015.127","type":"text","text":"presumably they're not changing"},{"time":"7015.894","type":"text","text":"the courthouse structures, so"},{"time":"7017.561","type":"text","text":"you'd have a criminal division,"},{"time":"7019.33","type":"text","text":"you'd have a family division,"},{"time":"7021.132","type":"text","text":"you'd have a divorce, and I"},{"time":"7024.189","type":"text","text":"they'd all be in three different"},{"time":"7026.771","type":"text","text":"buildings at remote locations"},{"time":"7026.938","type":"text","text":"in?"},{"time":"7028.339","type":"text","text":"Nassau they're building a new"},{"time":"7029.807","type":"text","text":"family court."},{"time":"7031.442","type":"text","text":"Toney a simple fix on the family"},{"time":"7033.311","type":"text","text":"quoter side would just to give"},{"time":"7036.047","type":"text","text":"all those judges the"},{"time":"7038.517","type":"text","text":"jurisdiction to dissolve a"},{"time":"7038.783","type":"text","text":"marriage."},{"time":"7040.651","type":"text","text":"An easy fix would be to make"},{"time":"7043.755","type":"text","text":"everybody acting supreme or"},{"time":"7044.322","type":"text","text":"change the constitution."},{"time":"7044.856","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"7048.226","type":"text","text":">> I just want to follow up on"},{"time":"7050.629","type":"text","text":"what judge guy, judge titone and"},{"time":"7054.932","type":"text","text":"be judge karalunas are saying."},{"time":"7055.967","type":"text","text":"Like judge karalunas, say"},{"time":"7058.036","type":"text","text":"hypothetically I were elected to"},{"time":"7058.436","type":"text","text":"the supreme court."},{"time":"7059.971","type":"text","text":"I wouldn't want to handle any"},{"time":"7061.239","type":"text","text":"cases in family court."},{"time":"7062.674","type":"text","text":"I wouldn't want to handle any"},{"time":"7063","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101248","guid":"81c8baa9-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblymember Phillip Steck"},{"time":"7066.277","type":"text","text":"cases that should be handled by"},{"time":"7066.878","type":"text","text":"a surrogate."},{"time":"7069.214","type":"text","text":"I would not have the expertise"},{"time":"7071.082","type":"text","text":"to do those things."},{"time":"7074.118","type":"text","text":"Conversely, someone who spent"},{"time":"7077.655","type":"text","text":"their entire career doing"},{"time":"7079.758","type":"text","text":"transactional work is very"},{"time":"7082.193","type":"text","text":"ill-suited to ruling on"},{"time":"7084.83","type":"text","text":"evidentiary issues in a supreme"},{"time":"7086.365","type":"text","text":"court litigation setting, which"},{"time":"7087.532","type":"text","text":"is something I have a lot of"},{"time":"7089.334","type":"text","text":"experience with."},{"time":"7092.237","type":"text","text":"But my question is the one thing"},{"time":"7094.039","type":"text","text":"that's really absent from this"},{"time":"7095.073","type":"text","text":"hearing and is kind of lurking"},{"time":"7097.075","type":"text","text":"in the background is the"},{"time":"7098.109","type":"text","text":"question of family court."},{"time":"7101.179","type":"text","text":"We don't have anybody here"},{"time":"7103.248","type":"text","text":"testifying about family court."},{"time":"7104.849","type":"text","text":"And I think most of us who have"},{"time":"7108.387","type":"text","text":"practiced law have had some"},{"time":"7109.555","type":"text","text":"experience with it."},{"time":"7112.056","type":"text","text":"And family court, in my"},{"time":"7113.458","type":"text","text":"experience, seems very"},{"time":"7117.462","type":"text","text":"disorganized, the rules are"},{"time":"7118.797","type":"text","text":"unclear, it's very difficult to"},{"time":"7120.365","type":"text","text":"figure what goes on."},{"time":"7121.866","type":"text","text":"In a lot of places like lights a"},{"time":"7122.834","type":"text","text":"cattle call."},{"time":"7125.237","type":"text","text":"So my -- it's like a cattle"},{"time":"7125.604","type":"text","text":"call."},{"time":"7127.472","type":"text","text":"So my question is given this"},{"time":"7128.44","type":"text","text":"proposal which we're"},{"time":"7130.876","type":"text","text":"considering, do any of you have"},{"time":"7132.711","type":"text","text":"any particular suggestions as"},{"time":"7135.147","type":"text","text":"to how we might deal some of the"},{"time":"7136.982","type":"text","text":"issues in family court rather"},{"time":"7139.752","type":"text","text":"than making all family court"},{"time":"7140.852","type":"text","text":"judges supreme court judges."},{"time":"7145.991","type":"text","text":">> if I May, I actually practice"},{"time":"7148.427","type":"text","text":"in family court."},{"time":"7150.73","type":"text","text":"So by giving them the power now"},{"time":"7152.998","type":"text","text":"to dissolve marriage, you're now"},{"time":"7156.235","type":"text","text":"giving additional duties to a"},{"time":"7159.238","type":"text","text":"family court that is already"},{"time":"7160.539","type":"text","text":"overburdened by far."},{"time":"7163.108","type":"text","text":"Of any court in this system, I"},{"time":"7165.377","type":"text","text":"throw out any empirical number,"},{"time":"7167.179","type":"text","text":"that the number of cases that"},{"time":"7170.582","type":"text","text":"are adjudicated in family court"},{"time":"7171.884","type":"text","text":"surpass every other court."},{"time":"7172.884","type":"text","text":"Every other court."},{"time":"7175.588","type":"text","text":"There is no court that touches"},{"time":"7178.023","type":"text","text":"our population more or has a"},{"time":"7179.925","type":"text","text":"greater impact on the families"},{"time":"7181.86","type":"text","text":"and the individuals in this"},{"time":"7184.697","type":"text","text":"state other than family court."},{"time":"7187.599","type":"text","text":"The real question here is"},{"time":"7188.133","type":"text","text":"resources."},{"time":"7192.004","type":"text","text":"And family court has always been"},{"time":"7192.771","type":"text","text":"under-resourced."},{"time":"7195.207","type":"text","text":"Remember, it's a statutory"},{"time":"7195.441","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"7197.476","type":"text","text":"We're bound by the statutes"},{"time":"7199.979","type":"text","text":"issued in family court."},{"time":"7202.715","type":"text","text":"Supreme court has a history that"},{"time":"7204.817","type":"text","text":"goes back 300 years in common"},{"time":"7206.552","type":"text","text":"law that's evolved."},{"time":"7208.755","type":"text","text":"The real issue is the resourcing"},{"time":"7210.657","type":"text","text":"of family court."},{"time":"7212.625","type":"text","text":"And in order to increase the"},{"time":"7215.06","type":"text","text":"duties that we're suggesting in"},{"time":"7218.164","type":"text","text":"divorce and other work requires"},{"time":"7219.298","type":"text","text":"a supreme court justice under"},{"time":"7220.8","type":"text","text":"the current statute."},{"time":"7222.935","type":"text","text":"That's the real issue."},{"time":"7226.305","type":"text","text":">> do you think that we might be"},{"time":"7227.874","type":"text","text":"better in the first instance"},{"time":"7230.31","type":"text","text":"maybe to consider a reform of"},{"time":"7232.778","type":"text","text":"how family court is structured"},{"time":"7236.515","type":"text","text":"and operates to make it perhaps"},{"time":"7237.983","type":"text","text":"a little bit more like supreme"},{"time":"7238.817","type":"text","text":"court?"},{"time":"7241.554","type":"text","text":">> no, because we're overlooking"},{"time":"7243.256","type":"text","text":"the overall issues."},{"time":"7246.692","type":"text","text":"We have 11 trial courts."},{"time":"7247.961","type":"text","text":"There are too many divisions in"},{"time":"7250.329","type":"text","text":"our court structure."},{"time":"7252.264","type":"text","text":"A judge or a speaker judge"},{"time":"7254.601","type":"text","text":"should be able to -- supreme"},{"time":"7255.534","type":"text","text":"court judge shared to cross"},{"time":"7257.47","type":"text","text":"lines and make a decision about"},{"time":"7260.373","type":"text","text":"a divorce or appoint somebody an"},{"time":"7262.675","type":"text","text":"executor in a wrongful death"},{"time":"7265.724","type":"text","text":"action."},{"time":"7265.776","type":"text","text":"Our administrative judges"},{"time":"7268.514","type":"text","text":"thankfully put our judges in"},{"time":"7270.316","type":"text","text":"positions where their aptitudes"},{"time":"7270.499","type":"text","text":"are."},{"time":"7272.151","type":"text","text":"That May not be for all"},{"time":"7273.853","type":"text","text":"jurisdictions, but in my"},{"time":"7275.622","type":"text","text":"particular jurisdiction, my aj"},{"time":"7277.29","type":"text","text":"assigns judges to where they are"},{"time":"7278.825","type":"text","text":"most effective."},{"time":"7281.26","type":"text","text":"I'm elected to county court."},{"time":"7283.263","type":"text","text":"I've never sat in county court"},{"time":"7285.832","type":"text","text":"because my aj knows that I'm"},{"time":"7287.234","type":"text","text":"particularly good in the civil"},{"time":"7287.533","type":"text","text":"world."},{"time":"7289.969","type":"text","text":"I'm not good in criminal world."},{"time":"7295.508","type":"text","text":">> yeah, I think unfortunately"},{"time":"7299.579","type":"text","text":"that does second judge titone's"},{"time":"7301.381","type":"text","text":"motion, that the voted for you"},{"time":"7303.116","type":"text","text":"for the criminal court."},{"time":"7304.184","type":"text","text":"It seems odd to me."},{"time":"7306.053","type":"text","text":"This question I was raising was"},{"time":"7306.986","type":"text","text":"this question of judicial"},{"time":"7307.253","type":"text","text":"expertise."},{"time":"7308.654","type":"text","text":"I'm just not one, and I"},{"time":"7312.711","type":"text","text":"apologize for this, that"},{"time":"7312.767","type":"text","text":"believes people can be things to"},{"time":"7312.827","type":"text","text":"all people."},{"time":"7314.961","type":"text","text":"You have certain expertise, and"},{"time":"7316.429","type":"text","text":"I certainly would be"},{"time":"7317.53","type":"text","text":"uncomfortable sitting in family"},{"time":"7319.332","type":"text","text":"court matters with no prior"},{"time":"7324.57","type":"text","text":"history of it, but anyway."},{"time":"7325.838","type":"text","text":">> okay."},{"time":"7326.439","type":"text","text":"Thank you all very much."},{"time":"7327.34","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"7339.753","type":"text","text":">> roger maldonado."},{"time":"7356.036","type":"text","text":">> good afternoon."},{"time":"7357.371","type":"text","text":"My name is roger maldonado."},{"time":"7358.805","type":"text","text":"I am the current President Of"},{"time":"7359.84","type":"text","text":"the new york city bar"},{"time":"7365.312","type":"text","text":"association."},{"time":"7367.481","type":"text","text":"In my rin testimony that you"},{"time":"7368.815","type":"text","text":"have I e name rate the many"},{"time":"7370.183","type":"text","text":"reasons that we strongately"},{"time":"7372.919","type":"text","text":"support the chief judge east"},{"time":"7374.788","type":"text","text":"proposal for a socom station but"},{"time":"7376.79","type":"text","text":"in respect to senator hoylman's"},{"time":"7378.692","type":"text","text":"request to talk to you I'm going"},{"time":"7379.726","type":"text","text":"to focus on two things."},{"time":"7381.227","type":"text","text":"The impact of court scol"},{"time":"7382.095","type":"text","text":"sedation on housing court where"},{"time":"7386.099","type":"text","text":"I began my legal career as a"},{"time":"7388.268","type":"text","text":"tenants attorney in south"},{"time":"7390.237","type":"text","text":"brooklyn legal services and"},{"time":"7390.871","type":"text","text":"diversity amongst judges, and"},{"time":"7467","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101255","guid":"81e30f65-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Roger Juan Maldonado, President, New York City Bar Association"},{"time":"7482.83","type":"text","text":"I'm going to come at the"},{"time":"7483.598","type":"text","text":"current jumps in housing court"},{"time":"7484.498","type":"text","text":"were not really judges."},{"time":"7486.333","type":"text","text":"They are judicial hearing"},{"time":"7490.771","type":"text","text":"officers or administrative judge"},{"time":"7491.673","type":"text","text":"s will be real judges."},{"time":"7493.608","type":"text","text":"Two, give the office of court"},{"time":"7494.442","type":"text","text":"administration the immediate"},{"time":"7495.542","type":"text","text":"ability to allocate the"},{"time":"7499.28","type":"text","text":"necessary resources so you don't"},{"time":"7501.749","type":"text","text":"have sardines in a and the"},{"time":"7503.183","type":"text","text":"hallway and instead have an"},{"time":"7508.756","type":"text","text":"actual court type of facility"},{"time":"7510.291","type":"text","text":"and three, by making a part of"},{"time":"7511.459","type":"text","text":"the municipal court, you will"},{"time":"7513.561","type":"text","text":"now have the ability and in fact"},{"time":"7516.864","type":"text","text":"the motivation, to ensure that,"},{"time":"7518.332","type":"text","text":"where these tenants are and"},{"time":"7519.333","type":"text","text":"landlords are going to have"},{"time":"7522.57","type":"text","text":"their disputes resolved, is"},{"time":"7523.938","type":"text","text":"actually a courthouse, and if"},{"time":"7525.807","type":"text","text":"not a courthouse, a facility"},{"time":"7528.776","type":"text","text":"that is designed to allow people"},{"time":"7530.077","type":"text","text":"to have access to justice"},{"time":"7532.18","type":"text","text":"because right now, people who"},{"time":"7536.217","type":"text","text":"father in housing court, rarely,"},{"time":"7537.318","type":"text","text":"rarely have any real opportunity"},{"time":"7538.319","type":"text","text":"to see the judge."},{"time":"7539.287","type":"text","text":"Diversity."},{"time":"7541.522","type":"text","text":"I do not know enough about the"},{"time":"7545.927","type":"text","text":"selection process upstate supine"},{"time":"7546.961","type":"text","text":"as to whether the court"},{"time":"7548.896","type":"text","text":"consolidation proposal will"},{"time":"7550.498","type":"text","text":"increase or decrease diversity"},{"time":"7552.967","type":"text","text":"but I absolutely echo justice"},{"time":"7553.801","type":"text","text":"troutman's two points."},{"time":"7556.738","type":"text","text":"One, you don't have to wait"},{"time":"7558.839","type":"text","text":"until you have figured out court"},{"time":"7561.676","type":"text","text":"consolidation or not to embark"},{"time":"7563.444","type":"text","text":"on now and on the continuing"},{"time":"7568.417","type":"text","text":"basis, the need to diversify our"},{"time":"7568.683","type":"text","text":"judiciary."},{"time":"7571.652","type":"text","text":"It is essential that our judges"},{"time":"7574.255","type":"text","text":"the diversity of the litigants"},{"time":"7575.023","type":"text","text":"who appear before them."},{"time":"7576.591","type":"text","text":"The selection process is only"},{"time":"7580.495","type":"text","text":"part of the equation."},{"time":"7582.13","type":"text","text":"What needs to happen and the"},{"time":"7583.799","type":"text","text":"city bariation is is committed"},{"time":"7585.533","type":"text","text":"to do this with the office of"},{"time":"7586.5","type":"text","text":"court administration, the state"},{"time":"7588.669","type":"text","text":"bar association, local and the"},{"time":"7590.005","type":"text","text":"affinity bar association."},{"time":"7591.539","type":"text","text":"We need go to the public"},{"time":"7592.641","type":"text","text":"schools need to start talking"},{"time":"7596.344","type":"text","text":"to students, early on in the"},{"time":"7597.612","type":"text","text":"process about why it is"},{"time":"7599.014","type":"text","text":"important to consider a career"},{"time":"7600.982","type":"text","text":"as a lawyer, and becoming a"},{"time":"7601.182","type":"text","text":"judge."},{"time":"7604.886","type":"text","text":"We need to talk to law student,"},{"time":"7606.955","type":"text","text":"actually, students before they"},{"time":"7609.825","type":"text","text":"go into law school and"},{"time":"7610.882","type":"text","text":"certainly, of the importance of"},{"time":"7612.794","type":"text","text":"serving as a clerk on the path"},{"time":"7613.762","type":"text","text":"to becoming a judge."},{"time":"7617.565","type":"text","text":"We need to have more instances"},{"time":"7619.234","type":"text","text":"where, a young person of color"},{"time":"7621.402","type":"text","text":"or from a diverse background, is"},{"time":"7622.971","type":"text","text":"talked to by someone who looks"},{"time":"7624.239","type":"text","text":"and sounds like them."},{"time":"7627.175","type":"text","text":"And convinces them this is"},{"time":"7628.21","type":"text","text":"something they should really"},{"time":"7628.477","type":"text","text":"consider."},{"time":"7629.645","type":"text","text":"And in order to help motivate"},{"time":"7635.851","type":"text","text":"these persons to actually think"},{"time":"7637.018","type":"text","text":"about becoming a lawyer or"},{"time":"7638.62","type":"text","text":"judge, we need to bring them to"},{"time":"7639.788","type":"text","text":"courthouses that look and feel"},{"time":"7641.724","type":"text","text":"like courthouses as opposed to"},{"time":"7643.558","type":"text","text":"about family court and what I'm"},{"time":"7644.76","type":"text","text":"telling you about housing court"},{"time":"7645.928","type":"text","text":"as it still exists."},{"time":"7648.296","type":"text","text":"We need to involve our young"},{"time":"7649.832","type":"text","text":"persons in the system of justice"},{"time":"7652.4","type":"text","text":"that we're all looking to"},{"time":"7652.968","type":"text","text":"improve on."},{"time":"7656.205","type":"text","text":"And we need to be doing it at"},{"time":"7657.005","type":"text","text":"the same time that we're"},{"time":"7657.706","type":"text","text":"considering the court"},{"time":"7658.774","type":"text","text":"consolidation process there is"},{"time":"7660.208","type":"text","text":"no reason to be thinking of one"},{"time":"7661.176","type":"text","text":"versus the other."},{"time":"7665.229","type":"text","text":"They can both happen at the same"},{"time":"7665.298","type":"text","text":"time."},{"time":"7665.358","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"7666.314","type":"text","text":">>"},{"time":"7667.883","type":"text","text":">> yes, thank you, and it is"},{"time":"7669.185","type":"text","text":"good to see you."},{"time":"7670.352","type":"text","text":"I really appreciate your"},{"time":"7671.787","type":"text","text":"testimony, and, I wanted to"},{"time":"7675.957","type":"text","text":"drill down a little on your"},{"time":"7676.525","type":"text","text":"housing court point."},{"time":"7681.397","type":"text","text":"You mentioned a report that the"},{"time":"7682.998","type":"text","text":"city bar did on an examination"},{"time":"7683.532","type":"text","text":"of housing court."},{"time":"7684.934","type":"text","text":">> the city bar established a"},{"time":"7687","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101256","guid":"81e5c15a-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"7687.97","type":"text","text":"task force on the right to"},{"time":"7688.237","type":"text","text":"counsel."},{"time":"7689.939","type":"text","text":"That task force is studying the"},{"time":"7693.909","type":"text","text":"impact of now, appoint counsel"},{"time":"7699.715","type":"text","text":"for persons -- or lower of the"},{"time":"7702.685","type":"text","text":"poverty level, and, it is being"},{"time":"7703.919","type":"text","text":"ruled out so you currently have"},{"time":"7709.992","type":"text","text":"now, two to three -- roughly 50%"},{"time":"7710.993","type":"text","text":"of persons in new york city who"},{"time":"7715.764","type":"text","text":"are poor, are eligible to"},{"time":"7717.099","type":"text","text":"receive a legal services"},{"time":"7717.933","type":"text","text":"attorney, legal aid attorney."},{"time":"7720.202","type":"text","text":"We have not yet issued a written"},{"time":"7721.27","type":"text","text":"report but we have as part or"},{"time":"7722.838","type":"text","text":"the work that we're doing, met"},{"time":"7726.375","type":"text","text":"with any number of court"},{"time":"7729.478","type":"text","text":"administrators, and, including"},{"time":"7730.513","type":"text","text":"the person in charge of the"},{"time":"7731.68","type":"text","text":"civil court and the person in"},{"time":"7733.115","type":"text","text":"charge of housing court."},{"time":"7735.251","type":"text","text":"We will be issuing a report, you"},{"time":"7736.152","type":"text","text":"know, certainly within the next"},{"time":"7737.987","type":"text","text":"year or so."},{"time":"7740.489","type":"text","text":"One other aspect of court"},{"time":"7742.058","type":"text","text":"consolidation, is touches on"},{"time":"7744.493","type":"text","text":"another very important piece of"},{"time":"7746.462","type":"text","text":"work the city bar is doing"},{"time":"7746.963","type":"text","text":"through the civil court"},{"time":"7748.831","type":"text","text":"committee and that is consumer"},{"time":"7749.766","type":"text","text":"debt."},{"time":"7753.435","type":"text","text":"Once you have a municipal court,"},{"time":"7757.673","type":"text","text":"you can have in the same"},{"time":"7758.54","type":"text","text":"courtroom, the same judge"},{"time":"7759.375","type":"text","text":"deciding a case involving"},{"time":"7761.244","type":"text","text":"housing issues, and a case"},{"time":"7764.914","type":"text","text":"involving consumer debt issues"},{"time":"7765.881","type":"text","text":"where there is no question how"},{"time":"7767.65","type":"text","text":"much the tenant ends up"},{"time":"7769.151","type":"text","text":"stipulating to pay will depend"},{"time":"7770.586","type":"text","text":"in part on whether or not the"},{"time":"7772.221","type":"text","text":"tenant has a source of income"},{"time":"7773.356","type":"text","text":"that has not been attached."},{"time":"7778.627","type":"text","text":"The ability of the office of"},{"time":"7780.229","type":"text","text":"court administration to dispense"},{"time":"7782.097","type":"text","text":"justsany a way right now does"},{"time":"7783.7","type":"text","text":"not happen frequently in either"},{"time":"7784.801","type":"text","text":"housing court or those parts of"},{"time":"7786.335","type":"text","text":"the civil court that address"},{"time":"7786.902","type":"text","text":"consumer debt."},{"time":"7789.171","type":"text","text":"Is going to be greatly enhanced"},{"time":"7793.209","type":"text","text":"by having a real court you one"},{"time":"7797.38","type":"text","text":"that now has real junks with --"},{"time":"7799.549","type":"text","text":"real judges to avoid the cattle"},{"time":"7800.883","type":"text","text":"call referenced as to family"},{"time":"7802.385","type":"text","text":"court the same is true in"},{"time":"7804.154","type":"text","text":"housing court."},{"time":"7807.323","type":"text","text":"And also, located in a building."},{"time":"7808.892","type":"text","text":"That is designed to actually"},{"time":"7810.059","type":"text","text":"give persons the chance to be"},{"time":"7810.26","type":"text","text":"heard."},{"time":"7885.168","type":"text","text":">> yes, and I know, you don't"},{"time":"7887.17","type":"text","text":"have the time to be able to read"},{"time":"7888.371","type":"text","text":"whatever is presented to them or"},{"time":"7889.906","type":"text","text":"if they are dealing with --"},{"time":"7890.541","type":"text","text":"especially if they are dealing"},{"time":"7892.743","type":"text","text":"with unrepresented litigants."},{"time":"7894.645","type":"text","text":"They don't have the time to talk"},{"time":"7897.347","type":"text","text":"to them about what is going on"},{"time":"7898.181","type":"text","text":"in their case."},{"time":"7900.751","type":"text","text":"They are not going be able to,"},{"time":"7902.986","type":"text","text":"even with great expertise,"},{"time":"7904.221","type":"text","text":"determine what needs to be done."},{"time":"7906.189","type":"text","text":"And that is the advantage of"},{"time":"7908.725","type":"text","text":"having a proposal that allows"},{"time":"7910.894","type":"text","text":"oca, to allocate judicial"},{"time":"7912.263","type":"text","text":"resources, staffing and"},{"time":"7913.865","type":"text","text":"resources, as needed to be able"},{"time":"7916.834","type":"text","text":"to properly give access to"},{"time":"7918.135","type":"text","text":"justice to all of those who come"},{"time":"7918.869","type":"text","text":"to the courts."},{"time":"7919.57","type":"text","text":">> thank you very much."},{"time":"7921.505","type":"text","text":">> 50,."},{"time":"7922.339","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"7927.378","type":"text","text":">> jason clark, amelia star,"},{"time":"7988.305","type":"text","text":"greg lubel."},{"time":"7989.64","type":"text","text":">> good afternoon."},{"time":"7992","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101257","guid":"81ead464-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Jason Myles Clark, President, Metropolitan Black Bar Association"},{"time":"7992.843","type":"text","text":"My name is jason clark and I'm o"},{"time":"7994.678","type":"text","text":"the metropolitan black bar"},{"time":"7995.013","type":"text","text":"association."},{"time":"7997.081","type":"text","text":"Also with me is philip hamilton"},{"time":"7999.25","type":"text","text":"who is also a board member with"},{"time":"8001.152","type":"text","text":"the mbba."},{"time":"8002.82","type":"text","text":"And I ould like to start off by"},{"time":"8004.255","type":"text","text":"saying thank you to assembly"},{"time":"8006.557","type":"text","text":"member dinowitz, as well as"},{"time":"8008.359","type":"text","text":"senator hoylman for inviting us"},{"time":"8009.494","type":"text","text":"to participate in today's"},{"time":"8011.629","type":"text","text":"hearing."},{"time":"8012.963","type":"text","text":"The metropolitan black bar"},{"time":"8014.932","type":"text","text":"association is a largest"},{"time":"8016.334","type":"text","text":"association of predominantly"},{"time":"8017.335","type":"text","text":"african-american attorneys in"},{"time":"8018.236","type":"text","text":"the state of new york."},{"time":"8020.171","type":"text","text":"Our purpose is to advance"},{"time":"8021.472","type":"text","text":"diversity and inclusion in the"},{"time":"8022.907","type":"text","text":"legal community, and address the"},{"time":"8025.076","type":"text","text":"legal issues affecting"},{"time":"8026.118","type":"text","text":"new yorkers."},{"time":"8026.411","type":"text","text":"Like many who have testified"},{"time":"8028.112","type":"text","text":"before us, we believe that"},{"time":"8029.013","type":"text","text":"new york state's court system"},{"time":"8030.682","type":"text","text":"needs to be simplified,"},{"time":"8032.617","type":"text","text":"modernized and reformed."},{"time":"8034.485","type":"text","text":"The complexities in our court"},{"time":"8036.12","type":"text","text":"system, make it unduly costly"},{"time":"8038.222","type":"text","text":"and difficult for litigants to"},{"time":"8038.623","type":"text","text":"navigate."},{"time":"8040.758","type":"text","text":"To this end, in principle, we"},{"time":"8042.593","type":"text","text":"support the office of court"},{"time":"8043.994","type":"text","text":"administration's goal to"},{"time":"8045.43","type":"text","text":"restructure our court system."},{"time":"8047.932","type":"text","text":"However, as presented, the mbba"},{"time":"8050.134","type":"text","text":"has significant concerns that"},{"time":"8051.569","type":"text","text":"oca's court restructuring"},{"time":"8053.604","type":"text","text":"proposal would reduce racial"},{"time":"8055.173","type":"text","text":"diversity in our court system"},{"time":"8057.675","type":"text","text":"and could have unintended"},{"time":"8058.576","type":"text","text":"consequences on limiting access"},{"time":"8059.711","type":"text","text":"to justice."},{"time":"8061.279","type":"text","text":"Thus the metropolitan black bar"},{"time":"8063.314","type":"text","text":"association cannot support oca's"},{"time":"8065.65","type":"text","text":"court restructuring proposal, at"},{"time":"8067.619","type":"text","text":"least until our concerns have"},{"time":"8069.154","type":"text","text":"been answer and satisfed."},{"time":"8072.257","type":"text","text":"First, under oca's court"},{"time":"8073.758","type":"text","text":"restructuring proposal, the pool"},{"time":"8074.96","type":"text","text":"of supreme court judges eligible"},{"time":"8076.494","type":"text","text":"to be appointed by the governor"},{"time":"8078.363","type":"text","text":"to the appellate division will"},{"time":"8080.198","type":"text","text":"be considerably expanded."},{"time":"8082.6","type":"text","text":"However, historically,"},{"time":"8083.834","type":"text","text":"african-americans and other"},{"time":"8085.87","type":"text","text":"attorneys of color have been"},{"time":"8086.571","type":"text","text":"disproportionately less likely"},{"time":"8088.806","type":"text","text":"to be appointed to the bench"},{"time":"8089.507","type":"text","text":"than white attorneys the"},{"time":"8090.808","type":"text","text":"new york state and new york city"},{"time":"8092.777","type":"text","text":"executive branches have known"},{"time":"8094.345","type":"text","text":"about this trend for years, yet"},{"time":"8096.614","type":"text","text":"the issue persists."},{"time":"8098.85","type":"text","text":"Consider that a according to"},{"time":"8100.551","type":"text","text":"new york state upfy court system"},{"time":"8102.921","type":"text","text":"statistics as of September 2008,"},{"time":"8106.124","type":"text","text":"or 2018, there are 5justices on"},{"time":"8108.626","type":"text","text":"the appellate division."},{"time":"8110.495","type":"text","text":"75ers percent are white and 25%"},{"time":"8113.432","type":"text","text":"are asian,."},{"time":"8114.799","type":"text","text":"Likewise, 86 justices appointed"},{"time":"8116.801","type":"text","text":"the court of claims."},{"time":"8120.372","type":"text","text":"81% are white and just 17% are"},{"time":"8120.939","type":"text","text":"asian, black or."},{"time":"8122.508","type":"text","text":"There is not enough evidence to"},{"time":"8124.242","type":"text","text":"suggest that the number of"},{"time":"8126.244","type":"text","text":"minority judges appointed to the"},{"time":"8127.278","type":"text","text":"appellate division will increase"},{"time":"8129.314","type":"text","text":"under oca's proposed plan."},{"time":"8131.316","type":"text","text":"What is oca's plan for"},{"time":"8132.451","type":"text","text":"increasing racial diversity"},{"time":"8134.419","type":"text","text":"within the judicial appointment"},{"time":"8134.753","type":"text","text":"process?"},{"time":"8136.222","type":"text","text":"Would oca be willing to consider"},{"time":"8138.356","type":"text","text":"achieved diversity and inclusion"},{"time":"8139.624","type":"text","text":"officer responsible for"},{"time":"8141.059","type":"text","text":"improving minority"},{"time":"8141.593","type":"text","text":"representation within the"},{"time":"8143.795","type":"text","text":"judicial process."},{"time":"8145.13","type":"text","text":"Second, the court restructuring"},{"time":"8147.332","type":"text","text":"proposal gives the oca the"},{"time":"8148.934","type":"text","text":"authority to transfer justices"},{"time":"8151.303","type":"text","text":"to any electoral district in"},{"time":"8155.365","type":"text","text":"new york."},{"time":"8155.447","type":"text","text":"Voters have a right to have the"},{"time":"8155.574","type":"text","text":"civil and criminal matters"},{"time":"8157.743","type":"text","text":"adjudicated by the justice they"},{"time":"8159.211","type":"text","text":"elected into office, in the"},{"time":"8161.246","type":"text","text":"areas that they were elected."},{"time":"8163.883","type":"text","text":"And empowering oca with the"},{"time":"8165.117","type":"text","text":"authority would relocate"},{"time":"8166.485","type":"text","text":"justices and to communities"},{"time":"8168.253","type":"text","text":"where they were not elected"},{"time":"8169.888","type":"text","text":"undermines the credibility of"},{"time":"8171.157","type":"text","text":"the judicial election process."},{"time":"8173.625","type":"text","text":"What is oca planes for ensuring"},{"time":"8175.327","type":"text","text":"that board is represented by the"},{"time":"8176.595","type":"text","text":"unders why they elected into"},{"time":"8177.596","type":"text","text":"office and the office that they"},{"time":"8179.398","type":"text","text":"were elected to, particularly in"},{"time":"8181.334","type":"text","text":"diverse communities."},{"time":"8184.436","type":"text","text":"Third, on April 10, 2017"},{"time":"8186.038","type":"text","text":"new york state raised the"},{"time":"8187.339","type":"text","text":"criminal responsibility age to"},{"time":"8187.94","type":"text","text":"18 years old."},{"time":"8189.975","type":"text","text":"To ensure that young people who"},{"time":"8191.543","type":"text","text":"commit non-violent crimes are"},{"time":"8194.48","type":"text","text":"not prosecuted as adults."},{"time":"8195.815","type":"text","text":"How will court consolidation"},{"time":"8198.684","type":"text","text":"affect these individuals."},{"time":"8200.319","type":"text","text":"Well, justice -- prosecuted this"},{"time":"8201.62","type":"text","text":"family division of supreme"},{"time":"8202.621","type":"text","text":"courts to the criminal parts of"},{"time":"8204.256","type":"text","text":"municipal courts."},{"time":"8206.158","type":"text","text":"In addition to these questions,"},{"time":"8207.092","type":"text","text":"posed above, there are"},{"time":"8207.993","type":"text","text":"unanswered questions regarding"},{"time":"8210.93","type":"text","text":"what will happen to many civil"},{"time":"8212.965","type":"text","text":"elected acting supreme court"},{"time":"8213.932","type":"text","text":"justices, once they are terms"},{"time":"8218.07","type":"text","text":"are completed under oca's court"},{"time":"8218.704","type":"text","text":"restructuring proposal in light"},{"time":"8221.24","type":"text","text":"of the issues presented above,"},{"time":"8223.742","type":"text","text":"the mbba urges oca to reconsider"},{"time":"8224.944","type":"text","text":"its court restructuring"},{"time":"8225.444","type":"text","text":"proposal."},{"time":"8225.878","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"8226.512","type":"text","text":">>"},{"time":"8230.015","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"8231.117","type":"text","text":"And amelia starr."},{"time":"8233.719","type":"text","text":">> good afternoon, my name is"},{"time":"8234.086","type":"text","text":"amelia starr."},{"time":"8235.688","type":"text","text":"I'm from the committee from"},{"time":"8237.523","type":"text","text":"modern courts and and I"},{"time":"8238.123","type":"text","text":"appreciate the opportunity to"},{"time":"8239.025","type":"text","text":"speak to you today."},{"time":"8241.661","type":"text","text":"We see court consolidation as"},{"time":"8244.063","type":"text","text":"the continuation of last year's"},{"time":"8245.031","type":"text","text":"tremendous successes of the"},{"time":"8246.899","type":"text","text":"legislature in terms of"},{"time":"8248.501","type":"text","text":"improving access to justice, and"},{"time":"8250.602","type":"text","text":"improving the court system and"},{"time":"8252.004","type":"text","text":"access for all new yorkers."},{"time":"8255.108","type":"text","text":"This is a logical next step."},{"time":"8256.743","type":"text","text":"Why do I say this?"},{"time":"8257.71","type":"text","text":"The fund for modern courts is"},{"time":"8259.946","type":"text","text":"one of the coalition of more"},{"time":"8261.88","type":"text","text":"than 106 organizations around"},{"time":"8263.75","type":"text","text":"the state, with members in all"},{"time":"8265.251","type":"text","text":"of your districts, and many"},{"time":"8267.987","type":"text","text":"other districts who are not"},{"time":"8270.089","type":"text","text":"represented long island, the"},{"time":"8274.56","type":"text","text":"bronx, manhattan, brooklyn,"},{"time":"8278.61","type":"text","text":"albany."},{"time":"8278.662","type":"text","text":"I won't give you a list, it is"},{"time":"8278.724","type":"text","text":"106 and it is too long for five"},{"time":"8278.998","type":"text","text":"minute bus all of us are very"},{"time":"8283.045","type":"text","text":"focused on ensuring that the"},{"time":"8283.236","type":"text","text":"people of new york, have a voice"},{"time":"8284.237","type":"text","text":"in this state."},{"time":"8288.074","type":"text","text":"We have heard from a lot of"},{"time":"8290.209","type":"text","text":"inside baseball and I'm not a"},{"time":"8291.377","type":"text","text":"judge so I can't speak to any of"},{"time":"8292.311","type":"text","text":"that but what I can tell you is"},{"time":"8296.249","type":"text","text":"the organizations who serve the"},{"time":"8298.618","type":"text","text":"poor, the unrepresented and"},{"time":"8300.82","type":"text","text":"disempowered, domestic violence"},{"time":"8306.96","type":"text","text":"victims, immigrants, by far"},{"time":"8310.73","type":"text","text":"people of color all believe that"},{"time":"8312.198","type":"text","text":"court consolidation will help"},{"time":"8316.002","type":"text","text":"and prevent the clients from"},{"time":"8318.471","type":"text","text":"being dragged the coalition,"},{"time":"8321.14","type":"text","text":"they are the 4.5 million dollars"},{"time":"8322.342","type":"text","text":"of million wasted hours and"},{"time":"8324","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101259","guid":"81f347aa-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Amelia T.R. Starr, Chair, Fund for Modern Courts"},{"time":"8326.079","type":"text","text":"millions of dollars of travel."},{"time":"8327.28","type":"text","text":"I'll give you one example that"},{"time":"8333.92","type":"text","text":"we got in at least two a days."},{"time":"8334.988","type":"text","text":"A victim of domestic violence"},{"time":"8335.822","type":"text","text":"the from her husband."},{"time":"8338.525","type":"text","text":"He beat her and he beat her"},{"time":"8339.058","type":"text","text":"children."},{"time":"8340.994","type":"text","text":"She went to criminal court"},{"time":"8342.028","type":"text","text":"complaining to the police in"},{"time":"8343.397","type":"text","text":"criminal court is a complaining"},{"time":"8345.798","type":"text","text":"witness to try to get relief."},{"time":"8347.967","type":"text","text":"She had to go to family court to"},{"time":"8350.503","type":"text","text":"get an order of protection."},{"time":"8352.038","type":"text","text":"When her husband refused to"},{"time":"8352.973","type":"text","text":"provide any support for her and"},{"time":"8355.175","type":"text","text":"her son, she had to go back to"},{"time":"8359.446","type":"text","text":"family court to get an order of"},{"time":"8359.679","type":"text","text":"support."},{"time":"8361.348","type":"text","text":"Then she wanted to get a divorce"},{"time":"8362.215","type":"text","text":"because no one wants to stay"},{"time":"8363.517","type":"text","text":"with a man that beats you."},{"time":"8365.652","type":"text","text":"She had to go to matrimonial"},{"time":"8366.686","type":"text","text":"court to try to get a divorce."},{"time":"8369.957","type":"text","text":"But all of this is taking"},{"time":"8371.991","type":"text","text":"literally years and now she's"},{"time":"8372.826","type":"text","text":"losing her home."},{"time":"8374.128","type":"text","text":"She's subject to eviction"},{"time":"8376.263","type":"text","text":"proceedings and she's now in"},{"time":"8377.197","type":"text","text":"housing court trying to keep her"},{"time":"8381.902","type":"text","text":"house."},{"time":"8383.303","type":"text","text":"I would like to say I have the"},{"time":"8384.638","type":"text","text":"answer to the story, she's in"},{"time":"8386.573","type":"text","text":"eviction proceedings and has"},{"time":"8387.374","type":"text","text":"excellent counsel and great"},{"time":"8392.846","type":"text","text":"hopes that she'll keep her home."},{"time":"8394.147","type":"text","text":"But, we don't know."},{"time":"8395.582","type":"text","text":"Court consolidation would have"},{"time":"8396.249","type":"text","text":"remedied her situation."},{"time":"8398.585","type":"text","text":"She would have had one or maybe"},{"time":"8399.953","type":"text","text":"two courts, she would have had"},{"time":"8401.288","type":"text","text":"fewer court dates and would have"},{"time":"8406.159","type":"text","text":"had a solution to her problems."},{"time":"8408.262","type":"text","text":"There has been a lot of talk"},{"time":"8409.062","type":"text","text":"about theoretical damage or"},{"time":"8410.096","type":"text","text":"people going to albany or sent"},{"time":"8410.897","type":"text","text":"off to buffalo."},{"time":"8413.533","type":"text","text":"We have real problems with real"},{"time":"8418.539","type":"text","text":"new yorkers, right mother."},{"time":"8419.94","type":"text","text":"And court consolidation can"},{"time":"8421.709","type":"text","text":"address that I have very nice"},{"time":"8422.309","type":"text","text":"pictures in front of you."},{"time":"8423.01","type":"text","text":">> I can't see them."},{"time":"8427.881","type":"text","text":">>,,."},{"time":"8429.483","type":"text","text":">> oh, no, this is terrible."},{"time":"8431.285","type":"text","text":">> well, what this shows is that"},{"time":"8433.287","type":"text","text":"new york has a 11 trail trial"},{"time":"8433.987","type":"text","text":"courts."},{"time":"8436.924","type":"text","text":">> new york has 11 trial courts"},{"time":"8443.564","type":"text","text":"and you look at the rest of the"},{"time":"8444.231","type":"text","text":"country, very few other."},{"time":"8445.933","type":"text","text":"In fact no other state in the"},{"time":"8447.201","type":"text","text":"entire country has 11 trial"},{"time":"8447.701","type":"text","text":"courts."},{"time":"8452.54","type":"text","text":"I suppose, the next is georgia."},{"time":"8454.175","type":"text","text":"But most have maybe two or"},{"time":"8454.375","type":"text","text":"three."},{"time":"8457.144","type":"text","text":"The system is overcomplicated,"},{"time":"8462.817","type":"text","text":"and incredibly burdensome, and"},{"time":"8463.785","type":"text","text":"completly out of step with the"},{"time":"8465.653","type":"text","text":"rest of the country there is no"},{"time":"8466.654","type":"text","text":"reason late to be that way."},{"time":"8467.955","type":"text","text":"Other states had similar"},{"time":"8470.791","type":"text","text":"problems, for example,"},{"time":"8472.493","type":"text","text":"california, which in 1998"},{"time":"8473.394","type":"text","text":"consolidated trial courts from"},{"time":"8474.428","type":"text","text":"multiple court downs to one."},{"time":"8476.497","type":"text","text":"And there has been a lot of"},{"time":"8477.197","type":"text","text":"non-partisan research done on"},{"time":"8478.699","type":"text","text":"the impacts of that"},{"time":"8480.501","type":"text","text":"consolidation, and it is a"},{"time":"8483.171","type":"text","text":"demonstrated increased"},{"time":"8487.108","type":"text","text":"efficiency, increased"},{"time":"8488.275","type":"text","text":"improvement of better use of"},{"time":"8489.443","type":"text","text":"judicial resources and most"},{"time":"8491.278","type":"text","text":"importantly, better result for"},{"time":"8492.78","type":"text","text":"poor and underrepresented"},{"time":"8494.882","type":"text","text":"litigants."},{"time":"8497.928","type":"text","text":"So I'll just chose by saying"},{"time":"8499.92","type":"text","text":"that we talked about a lot about"},{"time":"8500.255","type":"text","text":"diversity."},{"time":"8501.122","type":"text","text":"This is so supportive."},{"time":"8503.958","type":"text","text":"We believe that diversity in the"},{"time":"8504.958","type":"text","text":"judiciary is a critical issue"},{"time":"8506.126","type":"text","text":"and we absolutely look to join"},{"time":"8508.028","type":"text","text":"with you and any proposals that"},{"time":"8510.097","type":"text","text":"would improve judicial diversity"},{"time":"8511.499","type":"text","text":"and anybody else who has one to"},{"time":"8512.366","type":"text","text":"put important ward."},{"time":"8515.87","type":"text","text":"We believe this proposal helps"},{"time":"8518.005","type":"text","text":"diversity."},{"time":"8519.374","type":"text","text":"But what we believe this does is"},{"time":"8520.808","type":"text","text":"helps people of color, real"},{"time":"8524.245","type":"text","text":"people of color, new york people"},{"time":"8526","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101263","guid":"820064ec-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Greg Lubow, Attorney, New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers"},{"time":"8526.447","type":"text","text":"of color, who need a better"},{"time":"8527.548","type":"text","text":"judiciary and they need it now."},{"time":"8533.854","type":"text","text":">> thank you, and Mr. Lubow."},{"time":"8535.69","type":"text","text":">> I practice in tannerville,"},{"time":"8535.957","type":"text","text":"new york."},{"time":"8537.191","type":"text","text":"If you don't know where that is"},{"time":"8538.192","type":"text","text":"broome county is south and look"},{"time":"8539.293","type":"text","text":"to the mountains to the west,"},{"time":"8541.429","type":"text","text":"that's where tannersville is."},{"time":"8545.666","type":"text","text":"Been there since 19."},{"time":"8547.569","type":"text","text":"I'm a small town country lawyer"},{"time":"8548.969","type":"text","text":"born and raised in brooklyn."},{"time":"8550.338","type":"text","text":"I'm a criminal defense lawyer,"},{"time":"8552.607","type":"text","text":"for 27 years, I was a public"},{"time":"8553.475","type":"text","text":"defender in my county."},{"time":"8555.71","type":"text","text":"Have is a practiced in courts as"},{"time":"8557.879","type":"text","text":"far north asthma loan on the"},{"time":"8560.248","type":"text","text":"canadian border and in hancock"},{"time":"8561.917","type":"text","text":"on the delaware water gap and"},{"time":"8563.785","type":"text","text":"southern tier, south hampton"},{"time":"8564.953","type":"text","text":"court and north shore of long"},{"time":"8725.348","type":"text","text":"island."},{"time":"8726.515","type":"text","text":"Oca calls the justice courts"},{"time":"8727.483","type":"text","text":"the courts closest to the"},{"time":"8727.716","type":"text","text":"people."},{"time":"8729.752","type":"text","text":"Ten of thousands of people get"},{"time":"8731.32","type":"text","text":"their first and perhaps only"},{"time":"8733.156","type":"text","text":"experience in the courtroom"},{"time":"8739.195","type":"text","text":"presided over by a lay judge."},{"time":"8741.03","type":"text","text":"It is an abomination."},{"time":"8742.731","type":"text","text":"I can't say it any other way."},{"time":"8744.667","type":"text","text":"I testified in 2006 in front of"},{"time":"8746.469","type":"text","text":"the assembly that had its own"},{"time":"8748.571","type":"text","text":"hearings, I testified in 2007 in"},{"time":"8749.171","type":"text","text":"front of the senate."},{"time":"8751.207","type":"text","text":"The senate hearings started with"},{"time":"8752.942","type":"text","text":"judge then senator"},{"time":"8754.71","type":"text","text":"Defrancisco, basically telling"},{"time":"8755.912","type":"text","text":"the town judges in the room,"},{"time":"8757.146","type":"text","text":"don't worrying folks, we're not"},{"time":"8762.084","type":"text","text":"going to do anything."},{"time":"8764.187","type":"text","text":"It was very discouraging."},{"time":"8766.122","type":"text","text":"I testified in front of the dunn"},{"time":"8767.122","type":"text","text":"commission, reported in"},{"time":"8768.224","type":"text","text":"September of 2008 and the"},{"time":"8769.859","type":"text","text":"commission said no one in their"},{"time":"8772.161","type":"text","text":"right mind would create a system"},{"time":"8773.229","type":"text","text":"of justice courts that looks"},{"time":"8775.631","type":"text","text":"like what we have."},{"time":"8776.933","type":"text","text":"It doesn't come close."},{"time":"8778.568","type":"text","text":"But, we don't have the political"},{"time":"8783.039","type":"text","text":"capital, perhaps even the"},{"time":"8783.639","type":"text","text":"political will, at the time to"},{"time":"8783.94","type":"text","text":"do anything."},{"time":"8785.708","type":"text","text":"It is too big of a problem, a"},{"time":"8786.409","type":"text","text":"political headache."},{"time":"8788.911","type":"text","text":"Guess what, January 1, 2019"},{"time":"8790.012","type":"text","text":"political world in new york"},{"time":"8794.083","type":"text","text":"state changed dramatically."},{"time":"8794.75","type":"text","text":"You have the political"},{"time":"8795.551","type":"text","text":"authority, power and the"},{"time":"8798.087","type":"text","text":"political obligation, to make --"},{"time":"8801.991","type":"text","text":"to incorporate these justice"},{"time":"8803.193","type":"text","text":"courts into your new municipal"},{"time":"8803.46","type":"text","text":"courts."},{"time":"8808.531","type":"text","text":"I can give you all types of"},{"time":"8810.3","type":"text","text":"horror stories about the"},{"time":"8810.833","type":"text","text":"unconstitutional wafers."},{"time":"8812.102","type":"text","text":"You have the ability at least"},{"time":"8814.537","type":"text","text":"put us into the first year."},{"time":"8816.64","type":"text","text":"You have to pass this bill twice"},{"time":"8818.708","type":"text","text":"twice."},{"time":"8820.276","type":"text","text":"Two separate legislatures."},{"time":"8823.38","type":"text","text":"Put it into 2020 fix it all out"},{"time":"8827.817","type":"text","text":"in green county, 14 town courts"},{"time":"8829.719","type":"text","text":"and three village courts, 30"},{"time":"8829.953","type":"text","text":"judges."},{"time":"8831.788","type":"text","text":"They can put new jail as my"},{"time":"8832.823","type":"text","text":"client was put in jail just the"},{"time":"8838.761","type":"text","text":"other night for a dwi."},{"time":"8839.463","type":"text","text":"Reflexively, town judges do"},{"time":"8840.83","type":"text","text":"those things."},{"time":"8842.698","type":"text","text":"We don't have centralized"},{"time":"8843.433","type":"text","text":"arraignments in green county."},{"time":"8844.234","type":"text","text":"Doesn't ask me why."},{"time":"8845.135","type":"text","text":"You asked it."},{"time":"8846.903","type":"text","text":"We don't have counsel of first"},{"time":"8848.504","type":"text","text":"right arraignment at first"},{"time":"8849.539","type":"text","text":"appearance in every court in"},{"time":"8852.008","type":"text","text":"green county and that's why the"},{"time":"8853.543","type":"text","text":"cops wound up taking this one"},{"time":"8856.98","type":"text","text":"client in front of a judge"},{"time":"8858.782","type":"text","text":"who -- and she put him on bail"},{"time":"8860.183","type":"text","text":"because he refused to submit to"},{"time":"8861.751","type":"text","text":"a chemical test."},{"time":"8863.353","type":"text","text":"I know my time the up and I'll"},{"time":"8865.422","type":"text","text":"answer any questions."},{"time":"8867.724","type":"text","text":"I'll sit on any panel that you"},{"time":"8867.925","type":"text","text":"want."},{"time":"8871.261","type":"text","text":">> you are right."},{"time":"8871.995","type":"text","text":"Your time is up."},{"time":"8872.996","type":"text","text":"And I have a couple of"},{"time":"8880.436","type":"text","text":"questions."},{"time":"8881.505","type":"text","text":"So you said doing this will"},{"time":"8882.372","type":"text","text":"increase diversity."},{"time":"8883","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101260","guid":"81f64a98-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz"},{"time":"8884.408","type":"text","text":"The but, on what basis do you"},{"time":"8885.456","type":"text","text":"say that?"},{"time":"8887.978","type":"text","text":">> well, the main basis for that"},{"time":"8890.914","type":"text","text":"is the work and testimony that"},{"time":"8891.815","type":"text","text":"judge marks provided with"},{"time":"8897.02","type":"text","text":"respect to increasing the people"},{"time":"8898.689","type":"text","text":"eligible to be appointed to the"},{"time":"8899.222","type":"text","text":"appellate division."},{"time":"8900.224","type":"text","text":"You talk about the court of"},{"time":"8901.759","type":"text","text":"claims judges but we have talked"},{"time":"8905.429","type":"text","text":"about the family court judges"},{"time":"8906.697","type":"text","text":"who are a much more diverse"},{"time":"8911.702","type":"text","text":"group both in terms of adding"},{"time":"8912.903","type":"text","text":"people of color to the mix but"},{"time":"8915.205","type":"text","text":"also adding subject matter"},{"time":"8915.84","type":"text","text":"issues."},{"time":"8916.84","type":"text","text":"Almost 25% of issues in front of"},{"time":"8918.141","type":"text","text":"the appellate division are"},{"time":"8921.678","type":"text","text":"family court issues."},{"time":"8924.814","type":"text","text":"But the number people in"},{"time":"8926.117","type":"text","text":"appellate division with an iota"},{"time":"8928.285","type":"text","text":"of family court experience is"},{"time":"8929.347","type":"text","text":"very small."},{"time":"8930.387","type":"text","text":"Adding them in as a part of the"},{"time":"8932.789","type":"text","text":"pool will add in team discuss"},{"time":"8934.358","type":"text","text":"expertise on these issues such"},{"time":"8936.127","type":"text","text":"importance to most vulnerable"},{"time":"8936.427","type":"text","text":"new yorkers."},{"time":"8939.363","type":"text","text":">> on other hand you're putting"},{"time":"8940.664","type":"text","text":"into mix the court of claims"},{"time":"8942.366","type":"text","text":"judges which are overwhelmingly"},{"time":"8947.471","type":"text","text":"not diverse."},{"time":"8948.572","type":"text","text":"So I'm not sure about the math"},{"time":"8950.775","type":"text","text":"in terms of court of claims"},{"time":"8951.708","type":"text","text":"judges and couldn't categories"},{"time":"8958.715","type":"text","text":"they fit into, but, because the"},{"time":"8961.218","type":"text","text":"appointing authorities over the"},{"time":"8964.321","type":"text","text":"years, have chosen to appoint"},{"time":"8968.225","type":"text","text":"who they appointed, throwing in"},{"time":"8969.994","type":"text","text":"the court of claim judges to the"},{"time":"8970.962","type":"text","text":"supremes doesn't seem like it is"},{"time":"8971.895","type":"text","text":"going to increase diversity to"},{"time":"8972.062","type":"text","text":"me."},{"time":"8973.597","type":"text","text":">> I think that you're talking"},{"time":"8975.232","type":"text","text":"about a statistical question and"},{"time":"8976.7","type":"text","text":"I'm talking about raw numbers"},{"time":"8978.169","type":"text","text":"there will be many moreau"},{"time":"8979.503","type":"text","text":"numbers of diverse judges who"},{"time":"8984.776","type":"text","text":"are eligible and hopefully"},{"time":"8985.443","type":"text","text":"appointing authority is actually"},{"time":"8989.681","type":"text","text":"subject to the appointing"},{"time":"8990.881","type":"text","text":"authority which is governor will"},{"time":"8992.516","type":"text","text":"have more people from whom he"},{"time":"8993.617","type":"text","text":"can choose to increase"},{"time":"8993.885","type":"text","text":"diversity."},{"time":"8999.957","type":"text","text":">> I think everybody who says it"},{"time":"9001.625","type":"text","text":"will increase diversity or I"},{"time":"9007.999","type":"text","text":"won't, it is probably to me,"},{"time":"9008.299","type":"text","text":"speculation."},{"time":"9009.167","type":"text","text":"I don't think we know one way or"},{"time":"9014.038","type":"text","text":"the other but we have a history"},{"time":"9015.507","type":"text","text":"of how things have been done and"},{"time":"9016.908","type":"text","text":"I'm not point fingers at any"},{"time":"9017.675","type":"text","text":"particular governor because I"},{"time":"9021.579","type":"text","text":"think this governor has made a"},{"time":"9025.316","type":"text","text":"lot of great appointments but"},{"time":"9026.651","type":"text","text":"the history over time as far as"},{"time":"9027.618","type":"text","text":"that particular has not been"},{"time":"9029.119","type":"text","text":"very encouraging in terms of"},{"time":"9033.291","type":"text","text":"increasing diversity at all."},{"time":"9034.726","type":"text","text":">> I suppose what is not"},{"time":"9035.827","type":"text","text":"speculative and we can point to"},{"time":"9041.832","type":"text","text":"is the people who will be helped"},{"time":"9045.27","type":"text","text":"by this are disproportionnately"},{"time":"9046.003","type":"text","text":"new yorks of color, people in"},{"time":"9046.837","type":"text","text":"family court and many of the"},{"time":"9049.373","type":"text","text":"criminal courts."},{"time":"9053.645","type":"text","text":"So that I think we talk about"},{"time":"9056.247","type":"text","text":"this to the diverse citizens of"},{"time":"9060.184","type":"text","text":"new york, that is another aspect"},{"time":"9061.519","type":"text","text":"of the I don't tersest varsity"},{"time":"9062.954","type":"text","text":"that was not talked about but it"},{"time":"9064.022","type":"text","text":"is extremely important as well"},{"time":"9064.256","type":"text","text":"you."},{"time":"9065.423","type":"text","text":">> May be right on that but I"},{"time":"9070.695","type":"text","text":"think the speculation."},{"time":"9076.267","type":"text","text":"So, repeatedly the example cited"},{"time":"9079.07","type":"text","text":"is, you have a divorce case,"},{"time":"9081.405","type":"text","text":"custody issues and you can be"},{"time":"9082.506","type":"text","text":"before several different judges."},{"time":"9088.213","type":"text","text":"Is it your opinion that, --"},{"time":"9089.247","type":"text","text":"under this proposal you won't"},{"time":"9091.049","type":"text","text":"have a family court any more."},{"time":"9093.518","type":"text","text":"As such you'll have have a"},{"time":"9094.653","type":"text","text":"family part or division."},{"time":"9097.823","type":"text","text":"Whatever you want to call it and"},{"time":"9099.09","type":"text","text":"the same thing would be true of"},{"time":"9100.892","type":"text","text":"the other courts, so, on what"},{"time":"9102.094","type":"text","text":"basis do we think that that"},{"time":"9103.662","type":"text","text":"means that a person is going to"},{"time":"9105.164","type":"text","text":"go before one judge for"},{"time":"9105.464","type":"text","text":"everything?"},{"time":"9105.697","type":"text","text":">>"},{"time":"9107.599","type":"text","text":">> well, I think we wee have a"},{"time":"9109.334","type":"text","text":"situation where the judge who --"},{"time":"9110.869","type":"text","text":"we wouldn't have a situation."},{"time":"9112.271","type":"text","text":"If the first point of entry"},{"time":"9113.371","type":"text","text":"we'll assume is family court."},{"time":"9114.873","type":"text","text":"We'll have a judge that family"},{"time":"9117.309","type":"text","text":"court judge who has the ability"},{"time":"9118.544","type":"text","text":"to take the matrimonial case"},{"time":"9120.578","type":"text","text":"which right now, cannot happen"},{"time":"9124.082","type":"text","text":"under statute or the"},{"time":"9124.95","type":"text","text":"constitution and that same judge"},{"time":"9125.751","type":"text","text":"can then hand."},{"time":"9127.086","type":"text","text":"It."},{"time":"9128.153","type":"text","text":"Is it possible that will --"},{"time":"9129.121","type":"text","text":"there will be situations where"},{"time":"9130.522","type":"text","text":"maybe the same judge won't?"},{"time":"9132.057","type":"text","text":"I suppose it is possible."},{"time":"9135.594","type":"text","text":"Judges get moved around all the"},{"time":"9135.793","type":"text","text":"time."},{"time":"9138.196","type":"text","text":"But a family court judge who is"},{"time":"9139.197","type":"text","text":"almost certainly going to have a"},{"time":"9141.066","type":"text","text":"lot of request for divorces"},{"time":"9142.133","type":"text","text":"because divorce is family"},{"time":"9143.001","type":"text","text":"problems often go together and I"},{"time":"9144.603","type":"text","text":"think that judges would be more"},{"time":"9146.238","type":"text","text":"than capable of handling the"},{"time":"9148.24","type":"text","text":"different havity oil of"},{"time":"9149.274","type":"text","text":"requests, certainly as time goes"},{"time":"9150.309","type":"text","text":"on and with training and with"},{"time":"9153.878","type":"text","text":"support, so that they can spare"},{"time":"9155.147","type":"text","text":"the litigants in front of them"},{"time":"9156.315","type":"text","text":"from having to go from court to"},{"time":"9156.515","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"9158.617","type":"text","text":">>"},{"time":"9160.785","type":"text","text":">> I'm just wondering how it"},{"time":"9161.519","type":"text","text":"would work out in practice."},{"time":"9166.892","type":"text","text":"And I have no -- I haven't"},{"time":"9168.16","type":"text","text":"decided myself how I feel about"},{"time":"9169.127","type":"text","text":"it but I want to decide the best"},{"time":"9170.062","type":"text","text":"that I can."},{"time":"9171.963","type":"text","text":"I'm still envisioning in my"},{"time":"9173.532","type":"text","text":"borough in the bronx, where"},{"time":"9174.966","type":"text","text":"people will go to the supreme"},{"time":"9177.736","type":"text","text":"court building for one part of"},{"time":"9179.438","type":"text","text":"their problem, and then, down"},{"time":"9181.273","type":"text","text":"the block to family court for"},{"time":"9182.007","type":"text","text":"something else."},{"time":"9183.242","type":"text","text":"I kind of have a feeling it will"},{"time":"9184.576","type":"text","text":"be the same thing one way or the"},{"time":"9185.31","type":"text","text":"other."},{"time":"9187.646","type":"text","text":"Whether we make the changes,"},{"time":"9191.691","type":"text","text":"envisioned here or not."},{"time":"9191.746","type":"text","text":"And, I want to make sure, if we"},{"time":"9193.519","type":"text","text":"take the major step of making"},{"time":"9195.721","type":"text","text":"significant changes in the state"},{"time":"9196.489","type":"text","text":"constitution, that it is going"},{"time":"9200.96","type":"text","text":"to have the desired impact and"},{"time":"9202.295","type":"text","text":"I'm even sure, but it is going"},{"time":"9206.032","type":"text","text":"to have a positive impact that"},{"time":"9207.066","type":"text","text":"the proponents are saying that"},{"time":"9207.333","type":"text","text":"it would."},{"time":"9210.035","type":"text","text":">> well, I can only speak to"},{"time":"9211.804","type":"text","text":"some of the clients that I"},{"time":"9212.972","type":"text","text":"represent in my pro bono"},{"time":"9214.941","type":"text","text":"practice and I have a client in"},{"time":"9216.842","type":"text","text":"family court in the bronx who"},{"time":"9219.512","type":"text","text":"has a custody and dv issue and"},{"time":"9220.579","type":"text","text":"has a divorce issue."},{"time":"9222.715","type":"text","text":"So right now, we're toggling"},{"time":"9223.85","type":"text","text":"between courts and she's"},{"time":"9225.484","type":"text","text":"represented so, it really helps."},{"time":"9227.92","type":"text","text":"But, it is certainly what I have"},{"time":"9229.755","type":"text","text":"envisioned and oca is really the"},{"time":"9231.257","type":"text","text":"one that -- and the legislature"},{"time":"9232.558","type":"text","text":"for that matter who passes this"},{"time":"9238.73","type":"text","text":"bill are in charge of this."},{"time":"9239.932","type":"text","text":"But certainly envisionedthe same"},{"time":"9241.567","type":"text","text":"judge would be able to handle"},{"time":"9241.767","type":"text","text":"it."},{"time":"9245.404","type":"text","text":">> right now,, and I should have"},{"time":"9247.507","type":"text","text":"asked this of judge marks."},{"time":"9249.242","type":"text","text":"Doesn't oca have the power to"},{"time":"9251.177","type":"text","text":"appoint family court judges as"},{"time":"9252.678","type":"text","text":"acting supremes in which they"},{"time":"9253.479","type":"text","text":"case they could hear the us"},{"time":"9254.513","type":"text","text":"couldn'ts anyway?"},{"time":"9255.748","type":"text","text":">> I believe so."},{"time":"9257.049","type":"text","text":"But, the right person to really"},{"time":"9258.518","type":"text","text":"ask is judge marks."},{"time":"9260.053","type":"text","text":"I won't pretend to be the"},{"time":"9260.286","type":"text","text":"expert."},{"time":"9261.554","type":"text","text":">> we're not bringing him back."},{"time":"9264.49","type":"text","text":"[Laughter]"},{"time":"9265.625","type":"text","text":">> okay, thank you."},{"time":"9267.793","type":"text","text":">> assemblyman dinowitz."},{"time":"9269.328","type":"text","text":"I practice in green county"},{"time":"9269.595","type":"text","text":"primarily."},{"time":"9270.697","type":"text","text":">> where is that?"},{"time":"9271.798","type":"text","text":">> where is that?"},{"time":"9272.498","type":"text","text":">> just south of here."},{"time":"9278.939","type":"text","text":">> when you go home, look to the"},{"time":"9279.138","type":"text","text":"left."},{"time":"9283.191","type":"text","text":">> when I leave the five"},{"time":"9283.25","type":"text","text":"borough, it is a little"},{"time":"9283.299","type":"text","text":"confusing."},{"time":"9285.111","type":"text","text":">> we don't hold it against you."},{"time":"9286.579","type":"text","text":">> I don't hold anything against"},{"time":"9287.713","type":"text","text":"you for leaving the five"},{"time":"9287.98","type":"text","text":"boroughs."},{"time":"9289.148","type":"text","text":">> I practice in the county, we"},{"time":"9291.116","type":"text","text":"have two county court judges,"},{"time":"9294.087","type":"text","text":"well, three hats, because"},{"time":"9295.255","type":"text","text":"neither one wants to be an"},{"time":"9298.299","type":"text","text":"acting supreme court but for the"},{"time":"9298.359","type":"text","text":"longest time, the judge down"},{"time":"9299.926","type":"text","text":"there, the two judges left it as"},{"time":"9302.562","type":"text","text":"county court judges but family"},{"time":"9303.763","type":"text","text":"court, surrogate, county court"},{"time":"9308.634","type":"text","text":"and acting supreme."},{"time":"9312.038","type":"text","text":"So, when a dv case or"},{"time":"9314.374","type":"text","text":"matrimonial or anything having"},{"time":"9318.444","type":"text","text":"to do with family court, or"},{"time":"9320.613","type":"text","text":"criminal case involving an"},{"time":"9322.883","type":"text","text":"alleged abuse, one judge could"},{"time":"9323.55","type":"text","text":"basically handlethat entire case"},{"time":"9326.019","type":"text","text":"and he handles it in different"},{"time":"9327.454","type":"text","text":"court in family court we had, --"},{"time":"9333.393","type":"text","text":"I've had a case where the judge"},{"time":"9334.994","type":"text","text":"sat as family court judge in"},{"time":"9336.362","type":"text","text":"neglect and abuse case against"},{"time":"9337.597","type":"text","text":"my client and sat on the"},{"time":"9342.536","type":"text","text":"criminal case where the client"},{"time":"9343.47","type":"text","text":"was the defendant and the"},{"time":"9345.271","type":"text","text":"supreme court where the"},{"time":"9346.439","type":"text","text":"parties -- where you had to"},{"time":"9348.075","type":"text","text":"handle other aspect of the case."},{"time":"9354.081","type":"text","text":"So one judge does, in fact, get"},{"time":"9356.249","type":"text","text":"a chance to handle it in many"},{"time":"9359.619","type":"text","text":"upstate communities where they"},{"time":"9360.687","type":"text","text":"wear multiple hats."},{"time":"9362.322","type":"text","text":">> they already do."},{"time":"9364.024","type":"text","text":">> they do but not in other"},{"time":"9364.257","type":"text","text":"places."},{"time":"9372.232","type":"text","text":">>"},{"time":"9374.601","type":"text","text":">> and thank you, Ms. Starr."},{"time":"9376.87","type":"text","text":"It is a very comprehensive"},{"time":"9377.204","type":"text","text":"packet."},{"time":"9379.506","type":"text","text":"And I did like to take note of"},{"time":"9383.11","type":"text","text":"the state by state analysis in"},{"time":"9385.913","type":"text","text":"comparison between new york's"},{"time":"9388.648","type":"text","text":"labyrinth and much more simpler"},{"time":"9392.252","type":"text","text":"systems elsewhere."},{"time":"9396.923","type":"text","text":"Especially california's."},{"time":"9398.559","type":"text","text":"And, to start, I would love for"},{"time":"9405.565","type":"text","text":"you -- Mr. Clark, to restate"},{"time":"9407","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101258","guid":"81ef236f-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"9407.367","type":"text","text":"your concern about the oca"},{"time":"9408.702","type":"text","text":"proposal and have Ms. Starr"},{"time":"9412.772","type":"text","text":"respond to it because here we"},{"time":"9418.545","type":"text","text":"have, an esteemed panel, and, I"},{"time":"9419.947","type":"text","text":"understand your concern,"},{"time":"9421.381","type":"text","text":"particular my as it pertains to"},{"time":"9422.95","type":"text","text":"raise the age and other criminal"},{"time":"9424.552","type":"text","text":"justice reforms going into"},{"time":"9428.122","type":"text","text":"effect next year."},{"time":"9430.091","type":"text","text":"And, how this proposal will have"},{"time":"9430.591","type":"text","text":"an impact."},{"time":"9432.86","type":"text","text":">> think in a lot of way, there"},{"time":"9433.861","type":"text","text":"are many things that were"},{"time":"9437.531","type":"text","text":"probably aligned on."},{"time":"9438.799","type":"text","text":"And the idea is that we need to"},{"time":"9440.868","type":"text","text":"figure out a way to modernize"},{"time":"9441.502","type":"text","text":"because there are particular"},{"time":"9444.805","type":"text","text":"areas such as family court,"},{"time":"9446.173","type":"text","text":"which is discussed a few times"},{"time":"9446.807","type":"text","text":"where there are ways that we"},{"time":"9451.745","type":"text","text":"need though be able to make that"},{"time":"9452.079","type":"text","text":"less complex."},{"time":"9453.146","type":"text","text":"Those underrepresented can be"},{"time":"9454.882","type":"text","text":"able to move forward with the"},{"time":"9458.419","type":"text","text":"processing in a much more"},{"time":"9461.722","type":"text","text":"seamless way."},{"time":"9462.356","type":"text","text":"The issue is that we're having"},{"time":"9463.558","type":"text","text":"and one of the things that we're"},{"time":"9464.458","type":"text","text":"talking an is we don't want"},{"time":"9466.093","type":"text","text":"there to be unintended"},{"time":"9467.194","type":"text","text":"consequence."},{"time":"9470.698","type":"text","text":"Historically especially talking"},{"time":"9471.832","type":"text","text":"about, judges that have been"},{"time":"9472.834","type":"text","text":"appointed, the judges"},{"time":"9473.401","type":"text","text":"historically when they are"},{"time":"9476.003","type":"text","text":"coming from or talking aible the"},{"time":"9477.105","type":"text","text":"folks coming from court of"},{"time":"9478.472","type":"text","text":"claims or in appellate division,"},{"time":"9480.307","type":"text","text":"there are north many judges of"},{"time":"9481.509","type":"text","text":"color whether we're talking"},{"time":"9486.147","type":"text","text":"about latinex or asian or"},{"time":"9490.017","type":"text","text":"african-american."},{"time":"9491.519","type":"text","text":"And this May expand the pool of"},{"time":"9497.958","type":"text","text":"individuals who would be able to"},{"time":"9499.527","type":"text","text":"who could be appointed to the"},{"time":"9502.13","type":"text","text":"special positions on the"},{"time":"9505.399","type":"text","text":"appellate division."},{"time":"9506.501","type":"text","text":"The problem is there will be a"},{"time":"9507.368","type":"text","text":"smaller personal and the fact of"},{"time":"9508.202","type":"text","text":"the matter is since there have"},{"time":"9509.703","type":"text","text":"been so many years where it is"},{"time":"9510.672","type":"text","text":"our position there have already"},{"time":"9512.307","type":"text","text":"been a number of qualified jumps"},{"time":"9517.412","type":"text","text":"of color who May for example,"},{"time":"9519.113","type":"text","text":"May not have a connection to an"},{"time":"9519.947","type":"text","text":"influential person in the"},{"time":"9520.848","type":"text","text":"executive branch."},{"time":"9522.249","type":"text","text":"Who May not have a way to be"},{"time":"9524.051","type":"text","text":"able to develop that same type"},{"time":"9527.455","type":"text","text":"of network that other folks"},{"time":"9527.722","type":"text","text":"have."},{"time":"9528.99","type":"text","text":"There is nothing here to"},{"time":"9529.791","type":"text","text":"demonstrate that's being cured"},{"time":"9535.53","type":"text","text":"in some type of way and we're"},{"time":"9537.332","type":"text","text":"concerned that will -- if expand"},{"time":"9539.934","type":"text","text":"the amount of folks more number,"},{"time":"9541.002","type":"text","text":"it doesn't mean that there will"},{"time":"9542.036","type":"text","text":"be more individuals selected for"},{"time":"9543.305","type":"text","text":"these appointments."},{"time":"9544.072","type":"text","text":">> any response to that?"},{"time":"9548.142","type":"text","text":">> I think that the metropolitan"},{"time":"9551.413","type":"text","text":"bar association can agree on a"},{"time":"9553.481","type":"text","text":"lot of things."},{"time":"9554.539","type":"text","text":"Raise the age is certainly one"},{"time":"9554.849","type":"text","text":"of the many."},{"time":"9556.251","type":"text","text":"And that's why these hearings"},{"time":"9557.786","type":"text","text":"are so important because they"},{"time":"9558.953","type":"text","text":"are bringing diverse viewpoints"},{"time":"9562.156","type":"text","text":"and new ideas."},{"time":"9564.592","type":"text","text":"Like, the idea you mentioned of"},{"time":"9565.56","type":"text","text":"diversity and inclusion officer"},{"time":"9568.163","type":"text","text":"as part of the process."},{"time":"9570.365","type":"text","text":"Certainly, the proposal put"},{"time":"9571.733","type":"text","text":"forward is a good proposal."},{"time":"9573.301","type":"text","text":"Are there things taco be done to"},{"time":"9574.636","type":"text","text":"make it a better proposal?"},{"time":"9575.303","type":"text","text":"There are definitely things to"},{"time":"9577.171","type":"text","text":"make it a better proposal and"},{"time":"9578.239","type":"text","text":"the fund for modern courts could"},{"time":"9581.576","type":"text","text":"be excited about all ofs this."},{"time":"9582.677","type":"text","text":"Including -- including anything"},{"time":"9584.245","type":"text","text":"to increase diversity."},{"time":"9585.68","type":"text","text":"But what I do see is this"},{"time":"9587.482","type":"text","text":"proposal will improve diversity."},{"time":"9588.383","type":"text","text":"With the additions that you"},{"time":"9591.186","type":"text","text":"suggest, perhaps it could"},{"time":"9592.02","type":"text","text":"improve diversity even moreen"},{"time":"9593.521","type":"text","text":"but in proposal is not passed,"},{"time":"9597.525","type":"text","text":"what I do know will happen, is"},{"time":"9599.894","type":"text","text":"that people of can color, most"},{"time":"9600.728","type":"text","text":"vulnerable, unrepresented"},{"time":"9601.93","type":"text","text":"people, the poorest people are"},{"time":"9604.766","type":"text","text":"going to be hurt."},{"time":"9607.035","type":"text","text":"And that is -- there is a"},{"time":"9607.302","type":"text","text":"tradeoff."},{"time":"9609.104","type":"text","text":"Every day the fund for modern"},{"time":"9610.038","type":"text","text":"courts will come down the side"},{"time":"9611.573","type":"text","text":"of making the new york courts"},{"time":"9612.474","type":"text","text":"accessible."},{"time":"9616.611","type":"text","text":"To the poorest, the unrepresent"},{"time":"9617.612","type":"text","text":"ed, the vulnerable."},{"time":"9619.314","type":"text","text":"And we think providing help for"},{"time":"9625.154","type":"text","text":"those people of color is the --"},{"time":"9626.254","type":"text","text":"is very important and it is our"},{"time":"9626.821","type":"text","text":"guiding principle."},{"time":"9627.99","type":"text","text":">> up that."},{"time":"9632.627","type":"text","text":"And do you flushed out the idea"},{"time":"9634.73","type":"text","text":"of a diversity inclusion officer"},{"time":"9635.931","type":"text","text":"other than what you have stated"},{"time":"9636.131","type":"text","text":"here?"},{"time":"9637.065","type":"text","text":"Is it something you have seen in"},{"time":"9641.87","type":"text","text":"other states?"},{"time":"9644.139","type":"text","text":">> we started reviewing and"},{"time":"9644.906","type":"text","text":"figuring out ways to have"},{"time":"9645.173","type":"text","text":"solution."},{"time":"9647.276","type":"text","text":"We never want to look at a"},{"time":"9648.777","type":"text","text":"proposal proposal and say yes or"},{"time":"9649.836","type":"text","text":"to."},{"time":"9650.079","type":"text","text":"If it is something that couldn't"},{"time":"9652.147","type":"text","text":"be expand on, we started to"},{"time":"9653.515","type":"text","text":"figure out the process of"},{"time":"9654.149","type":"text","text":"figuring out what those"},{"time":"9662.157","type":"text","text":"solutions could be."},{"time":"9663","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101261","guid":"81f970fa-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"9663.425","type":"text","text":"I'm not familiar if other states"},{"time":"9664.192","type":"text","text":"have something similar but when"},{"time":"9664.993","type":"text","text":"with you talk about businesses"},{"time":"9669.098","type":"text","text":"and other areas, where there"},{"time":"9670.933","type":"text","text":"does seem to be a clear issue"},{"time":"9677.706","type":"text","text":"when it comes to diversity,"},{"time":"9678.607","type":"text","text":"making sure someone comes in to"},{"time":"9679.775","type":"text","text":"track and it be able to cure"},{"time":"9680.075","type":"text","text":"that issue."},{"time":"9681.109","type":"text","text":"That May be one way that we"},{"time":"9682.21","type":"text","text":"could be able to resolve it."},{"time":"9687.115","type":"text","text":">>"},{"time":"9689.584","type":"text","text":">> and I would argue where we"},{"time":"9691.086","type":"text","text":"can control that the most is, we"},{"time":"9696.024","type":"text","text":"have a a appointed jumps."},{"time":"9696.859","type":"text","text":"-- appoint judge."},{"time":"9698.427","type":"text","text":"And that's overall, appointed"},{"time":"9700.629","type":"text","text":"judges are more diverse than"},{"time":"9701.731","type":"text","text":"elected outside of the city of"},{"time":"9702.131","type":"text","text":"new york."},{"time":"9703.565","type":"text","text":"But I take your point and really"},{"time":"9709.472","type":"text","text":"appreciate your testimony today."},{"time":"9711.373","type":"text","text":"And finally Mr. Lubo on the"},{"time":"9713.042","type":"text","text":"point of the justice courts what"},{"time":"9714.943","type":"text","text":"you have stated is certainly an"},{"time":"9721.283","type":"text","text":"area of inquiry for completely"},{"time":"9721.817","type":"text","text":"new hearing."},{"time":"9725.588","type":"text","text":"But, your suggestion is that we"},{"time":"9732.127","type":"text","text":"include those in the municipal"},{"time":"9732.427","type":"text","text":"structure."},{"time":"9732.662","type":"text","text":">> yes."},{"time":"9734.763","type":"text","text":"There are 17 courts."},{"time":"9736.465","type":"text","text":"30 judges."},{"time":"9738.233","type":"text","text":"30 judge, town and village"},{"time":"9740.269","type":"text","text":"judges."},{"time":"9745.208","type":"text","text":"We have four."},{"time":"9746.943","type":"text","text":"There are out of these 17"},{"time":"9749.244","type":"text","text":"courts, 30 judge, most of them"},{"time":"9751.047","type":"text","text":"not lawyers."},{"time":"9752.348","type":"text","text":"Court clerk, all part timers."},{"time":"9754.016","type":"text","text":"They sit two hours one day a"},{"time":"9755.384","type":"text","text":"week, most of the courts, they"},{"time":"9758.687","type":"text","text":"have a da show up once a month."},{"time":"9759.923","type":"text","text":"There actually no reason that"},{"time":"9761.123","type":"text","text":"you couldn't hire two lawyers to"},{"time":"9762.559","type":"text","text":"be the municipal court jump, one"},{"time":"9764.226","type":"text","text":"sits in our county seat, one"},{"time":"9768.531","type":"text","text":"goes if you need to have courts"},{"time":"9770.399","type":"text","text":"in a small town or geographic"},{"time":"9771.701","type":"text","text":"area, two judges, two lawyer"},{"time":"9773.703","type":"text","text":"judge, paid as lawyer judges,"},{"time":"9776.506","type":"text","text":"and definitely do the job of 30"},{"time":"9778.174","type":"text","text":"town and village court judges"},{"time":"9782.044","type":"text","text":"who are part timers."},{"time":"9785.481","type":"text","text":"I've heard about the -- in 24"},{"time":"9786.582","type":"text","text":"hours of education, there are"},{"time":"9787.984","type":"text","text":"family court judges because"},{"time":"9789.118","type":"text","text":"there are dv cases that come"},{"time":"9790.553","type":"text","text":"into the justice courts."},{"time":"9792.489","type":"text","text":"They are landlord tenant judges,"},{"time":"9793.323","type":"text","text":"criminal court judges."},{"time":"9794.69","type":"text","text":"They have -- it is impossible."},{"time":"9795.691","type":"text","text":"They don't understand, they just"},{"time":"9798.661","type":"text","text":"don't have it in their hearts."},{"time":"9799.996","type":"text","text":"I forgot I also appeared in"},{"time":"9802.365","type":"text","text":"nassau county several times."},{"time":"9805.068","type":"text","text":"I was out east, and, but I have"},{"time":"9806.836","type":"text","text":"appeared in hemstead and glenn"},{"time":"9811.741","type":"text","text":"cove."},{"time":"9812.676","type":"text","text":"The answer is they are"},{"time":"9813.142","type":"text","text":"overwhelmed."},{"time":"9815.778","type":"text","text":"Justice court, district court,"},{"time":"9817.747","type":"text","text":"the municipal court with a"},{"time":"9819.649","type":"text","text":"lawyer judge is what's"},{"time":"9821.351","type":"text","text":"necessary, and it can be done in"},{"time":"9822.853","type":"text","text":"green county, it can be done"},{"time":"9823.152","type":"text","text":"entry where."},{"time":"9824.521","type":"text","text":"It is just matter of scale."},{"time":"9825.655","type":"text","text":"It is real think not a hard"},{"time":"9828.258","type":"text","text":"thing to prepare."},{"time":"9829.592","type":"text","text":"And, people have said -- the"},{"time":"9833.396","type":"text","text":"biggest claim to fame, was we're"},{"time":"9835.565","type":"text","text":"judges that get up at 2:00 to do"},{"time":"9835.899","type":"text","text":"arraignments."},{"time":"9836.799","type":"text","text":"I heard that ten years ago."},{"time":"9838.635","type":"text","text":"Guess what, we don't need 2:00"},{"time":"9840.47","type":"text","text":"in the morning arraignments."},{"time":"9843.906","type":"text","text":"You can hold someone in holding"},{"time":"9845.542","type":"text","text":"cell until 9:00, make sure they"},{"time":"9846.943","type":"text","text":"have lawyer and in green county,"},{"time":"9848.177","type":"text","text":"they don't do that."},{"time":"9849.079","type":"text","text":"They still don't do that we"},{"time":"9850.48","type":"text","text":"don't need judges getting up at"},{"time":"9852.85","type":"text","text":"2:00 in the morning to do"},{"time":"9853.183","type":"text","text":"arraignments."},{"time":"9859.055","type":"text","text":"It is an an an act been and"},{"time":"9860.39","type":"text","text":"outlived its useful life."},{"time":"9861.457","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"9863.726","type":"text","text":">> just a follow-up of"},{"time":"9864.327","type":"text","text":"something."},{"time":"9868.999","type":"text","text":"And then a question for Ms."},{"time":"9869.233","type":"text","text":"Started."},{"time":"9871.334","type":"text","text":"I talk about -- I had a little"},{"time":"9872.536","type":"text","text":"bit of experience that as one of"},{"time":"9874.07","type":"text","text":"the things that the oca will"},{"time":"9875.673","type":"text","text":"have to do with some of this"},{"time":"9876.64","type":"text","text":"consolidation is eliminate all"},{"time":"9878.542","type":"text","text":"of the duplicative paperwork."},{"time":"9880.043","type":"text","text":"Because, I had a case up in"},{"time":"9881.678","type":"text","text":"schenectady, where it was a"},{"time":"9883","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101262","guid":"81fd66d3-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblyman Michael Montesano"},{"time":"9883.346","type":"text","text":"fatality in a car accident,"},{"time":"9885.381","type":"text","text":"resolved the civil case, settled"},{"time":"9887.284","type":"text","text":"and then the judge was also the"},{"time":"9887.551","type":"text","text":"surrogate."},{"time":"9888.819","type":"text","text":"So go to the surrogate part and"},{"time":"9890.854","type":"text","text":"tell them that we have the"},{"time":"9892.189","type":"text","text":"settlement and I need the"},{"time":"9892.456","type":"text","text":"approval."},{"time":"9893.323","type":"text","text":"Well, we have to wait for the"},{"time":"9894.591","type":"text","text":"judge to do the approve a you"},{"time":"9895.159","type":"text","text":"have to do this."},{"time":"9897.361","type":"text","text":"You have to do that."},{"time":"9898.996","type":"text","text":"Best just approve the"},{"time":"9899.296","type":"text","text":"settlement."},{"time":"9901.331","type":"text","text":"She said, that's in that part."},{"time":"9902.633","type":"text","text":"Now, she's in a different court."},{"time":"9903.5","type":"text","text":"So, this is something that we"},{"time":"9907.137","type":"text","text":"have to do because, even with"},{"time":"9908.572","type":"text","text":"the bouncing to the different"},{"time":"9909.64","type":"text","text":"courts, different clerks and"},{"time":"9910.608","type":"text","text":"procedures and different forms"},{"time":"9913.077","type":"text","text":"and different everything."},{"time":"9914.177","type":"text","text":"And slows the system down also"},{"time":"9915.679","type":"text","text":"as to how cases would be"},{"time":"9915.947","type":"text","text":"resolved."},{"time":"9916.747","type":"text","text":"So I have a question and I'm"},{"time":"9918.515","type":"text","text":"sorry to have to ask it to you."},{"time":"9919.75","type":"text","text":"I should have asked it earlier"},{"time":"9920.484","type":"text","text":"to some of the other speakers"},{"time":"9922.085","type":"text","text":"but when we talk about the"},{"time":"9923.954","type":"text","text":"diversity, I understand that,"},{"time":"9926.39","type":"text","text":"that issue applies to the trial"},{"time":"9926.857","type":"text","text":"court settings."},{"time":"9928.425","type":"text","text":"But the thing that is troubling"},{"time":"9932.163","type":"text","text":"me is when we talk about the"},{"time":"9935.265","type":"text","text":"appellate division, is, that, at"},{"time":"9936.4","type":"text","text":"least my understanding of the"},{"time":"9938.168","type":"text","text":"appellate division is, with the"},{"time":"9939.871","type":"text","text":"exception of grievances, you"},{"time":"9941.906","type":"text","text":"know, for attorney discipline,"},{"time":"9944.208","type":"text","text":"and, for some article 78s,"},{"time":"9945.743","type":"text","text":"they review a case on the record"},{"time":"9947.911","type":"text","text":"as to the matter of law."},{"time":"9952.249","type":"text","text":"And, so, I don't think that they"},{"time":"9953.784","type":"text","text":"concern themselves or know the"},{"time":"9956.119","type":"text","text":"color origin of the plaintiffs"},{"time":"9957.488","type":"text","text":"or defendants in these cases or"},{"time":"9958.222","type":"text","text":"whatever the case May be."},{"time":"9960.524","type":"text","text":"The petitioner or respondent is"},{"time":"9961.659","type":"text","text":"that they are simply focusing on"},{"time":"9963.327","type":"text","text":"the lower court's record, and"},{"time":"9968.133","type":"text","text":"making a decision as a matter of"},{"time":"9970.301","type":"text","text":"lawen departed from the norm and"},{"time":"9971.769","type":"text","text":"procedures, so on and so forth."},{"time":"9975.406","type":"text","text":"How is the issue of diversity"},{"time":"9977.308","type":"text","text":"such a big issue, in the"},{"time":"9977.808","type":"text","text":"appellate division."},{"time":"9978.91","type":"text","text":"And I'm not signifying that we"},{"time":"9981.312","type":"text","text":"shouldn't have it."},{"time":"9982.88","type":"text","text":"But, the selection of appellate"},{"time":"9984.282","type":"text","text":"judges wouldn't be a little"},{"time":"9986.217","type":"text","text":"different also as was alluded to"},{"time":"9987.217","type":"text","text":"by Mr. Clark before about who"},{"time":"9988.652","type":"text","text":"is who in the system, and who"},{"time":"9990.921","type":"text","text":"has access, you know, to the"},{"time":"9991.288","type":"text","text":"executive."},{"time":"9994.591","type":"text","text":"But, can you give me just -- an"},{"time":"9995.826","type":"text","text":"instance of why that is such a"},{"time":"9996.46","type":"text","text":"pressing I believe shall you in"},{"time":"9998.163","type":"text","text":"the appellate division?"},{"time":"9999.33","type":"text","text":">> sure."},{"time":"10001.298","type":"text","text":"I will note that the appellate"},{"time":"10004.068","type":"text","text":"division provides a number of"},{"time":"10005.069","type":"text","text":"motions, many of which are"},{"time":"10006.404","type":"text","text":"motions to dismiss and motions"},{"time":"10007.605","type":"text","text":"for summary judgment."},{"time":"10009.574","type":"text","text":"There is a motion, those are"},{"time":"10011.343","type":"text","text":"motions decided by the appellate"},{"time":"10012.343","type":"text","text":"division which means they look"},{"time":"10014.478","type":"text","text":"both at the law, as you"},{"time":"10015.313","type":"text","text":"correctly point out but also at"},{"time":"10020.185","type":"text","text":"the facts."},{"time":"10021.652","type":"text","text":"So appellate division is answer"},{"time":"10022.453","type":"text","text":"slip an area where the facts"},{"time":"10023.888","type":"text","text":"matter and family court is a"},{"time":"10025.389","type":"text","text":"really good example of that."},{"time":"10027.192","type":"text","text":"There are a number of appeals"},{"time":"10028.893","type":"text","text":"that have been coming up to the"},{"time":"10031.295","type":"text","text":"appellate division in something"},{"time":"10032.096","type":"text","text":"called special immigrant"},{"time":"10033.431","type":"text","text":"juvenile status."},{"time":"10037.475","type":"text","text":"That is for abandonedand abused"},{"time":"10037.936","type":"text","text":"and neglected juveniles, who are"},{"time":"10039.337","type":"text","text":"seeking a declaration from the"},{"time":"10041.239","type":"text","text":"family court, that they can use"},{"time":"10043.575","type":"text","text":"to get legal status and avoid"},{"time":"10044.776","type":"text","text":"being deported to a country that"},{"time":"10046.11","type":"text","text":"could be very dangerous."},{"time":"10047.712","type":"text","text":"The appellate division heard"},{"time":"10050.481","type":"text","text":"many of these cases."},{"time":"10052.217","type":"text","text":"And, they hear the denovo so"},{"time":"10054.319","type":"text","text":"they are looking looking at who"},{"time":"10055.287","type":"text","text":"is this child."},{"time":"10056.721","type":"text","text":"Has this child been abused."},{"time":"10060.992","type":"text","text":"Who are the parents, what is the"},{"time":"10062.026","type":"text","text":"safety of the country they could"},{"time":"10063.395","type":"text","text":"be sent back to and they are"},{"time":"10064.862","type":"text","text":"looking at issues of what is"},{"time":"10067.098","type":"text","text":"guatemala like for for a child"},{"time":"10068.266","type":"text","text":"who has been abandoned and will"},{"time":"10069.534","type":"text","text":"have to be returned there alone."},{"time":"10071.703","type":"text","text":"And so having a judge who is"},{"time":"10073.838","type":"text","text":"diverse, who is maybe latinex or"},{"time":"10076.274","type":"text","text":"a judge who is african-american"},{"time":"10080.329","type":"text","text":"or a judge who is experienced"},{"time":"10081.512","type":"text","text":"some of the sufferin that these"},{"time":"10082.814","type":"text","text":"children have been experienced,"},{"time":"10085.383","type":"text","text":"is hugely important, and makes"},{"time":"10087.452","type":"text","text":"them much better able to rule"},{"time":"10089.288","type":"text","text":"on, for example, these appeals"},{"time":"10091.723","type":"text","text":"that the appellate division is"},{"time":"10092.457","type":"text","text":"addressing."},{"time":"10092.924","type":"text","text":">> okay, thank you."},{"time":"10093.225","type":"text","text":">>"},{"time":"10102.334","type":"text","text":">>en that you all."},{"time":"10108.44","type":"text","text":"Patrick cullen and eric edwards."},{"time":"10111.609","type":"text","text":"We want to apologize to justice"},{"time":"10111.843","type":"text","text":"edwards."},{"time":"10113.912","type":"text","text":"There was a mixup but we're glad"},{"time":"10117.282","type":"text","text":"that you're here and thank you"},{"time":"10117.782","type":"text","text":"for smithing testimony."},{"time":"10118.216","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"10118.783","type":"text","text":">>"},{"time":"10120.151","type":"text","text":">> thank you for submitting"},{"time":"10120.419","type":"text","text":"testimony."},{"time":"10127.359","type":"text","text":">> choose amongst yourselves."},{"time":"10129.261","type":"text","text":">> thank you so much well, I"},{"time":"10130.896","type":"text","text":"want to thank everybody for"},{"time":"10134.399","type":"text","text":"allowing me the opportunity to"},{"time":"10135.4","type":"text","text":"share some words with you."},{"time":"10136.802","type":"text","text":"I do have the written"},{"time":"10137.536","type":"text","text":"submission."},{"time":"10138.37","type":"text","text":"I don't intend to read directly"},{"time":"10139.07","type":"text","text":"from that."},{"time":"10141.707","type":"text","text":"But, I want to thank both"},{"time":"10142.708","type":"text","text":"Chairman Dinowitz and hoylman"},{"time":"10143.909","type":"text","text":"and the other member of the"},{"time":"10146.211","type":"text","text":"committee for this opportunity."},{"time":"10149.147","type":"text","text":"As heard, I'm erica edwards, a"},{"time":"10152.184","type":"text","text":"justice in the court serveingin"},{"time":"10153.018","type":"text","text":"manhattan criminal term so it"},{"time":"10154.42","type":"text","text":"came up last week there May not"},{"time":"10156.188","type":"text","text":"have been any judge es lected"},{"time":"10156.856","type":"text","text":"initial entry the criminal term"},{"time":"10157.823","type":"text","text":"in manhattan but I can tell you"},{"time":"10158.624","type":"text","text":"that I'm the one."},{"time":"10159.958","type":"text","text":"Right now."},{"time":"10162.828","type":"text","text":"So, I'm here."},{"time":"10164.43","type":"text","text":"S there with me is judge saunder"},{"time":"10165.43","type":"text","text":"as justice in the supreme court"},{"time":"10166.865","type":"text","text":"of manhattan but in the civil"},{"time":"10167.5","type":"text","text":"term and she's our vice"},{"time":"10168.801","type":"text","text":"President And I'm the President"},{"time":"10170.836","type":"text","text":"Of the judicial friends"},{"time":"10171.136","type":"text","text":"association."},{"time":"10172.271","type":"text","text":"Just by briefly, in case some of"},{"time":"10174.039","type":"text","text":"you May not be aware of our"},{"time":"10176.409","type":"text","text":"organization, we're actually the"},{"time":"10178.678","type":"text","text":"oldest organization committed to"},{"time":"10180.312","type":"text","text":"racial equality in the legal"},{"time":"10180.713","type":"text","text":"community."},{"time":"10182.982","type":"text","text":"Founded in 1976 initially by"},{"time":"10185.15","type":"text","text":"african-american judges, we"},{"time":"10186.485","type":"text","text":"expanded, we actually initially"},{"time":"10189.087","type":"text","text":"were including all minority"},{"time":"10190.856","type":"text","text":"judges, and, since then, some"},{"time":"10191.523","type":"text","text":"have broken off."},{"time":"10193.258","type":"text","text":"But we do have a overlap in our"},{"time":"10194.894","type":"text","text":"membership because the issue of"},{"time":"10197.963","type":"text","text":"diversity is dear to all of our"},{"time":"10200.9","type":"text","text":"hearts."},{"time":"10202.968","type":"text","text":"Our organization does applaud"},{"time":"10204.837","type":"text","text":"applaud the efforts of our chief"},{"time":"10206.572","type":"text","text":"judge and oca, improving"},{"time":"10207.506","type":"text","text":"administration of justice"},{"time":"10209","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101264","guid":"8202add1-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Hon. Erika Edwards, NYS Supreme Court Justice, NY County Criminal Branch"},{"time":"10209.608","type":"text","text":"through the initiative and court"},{"time":"10210.609","type":"text","text":"improvements."},{"time":"10212.077","type":"text","text":"But, from the outset, we cannot"},{"time":"10214.18","type":"text","text":"support this proposal and we"},{"time":"10215.881","type":"text","text":"oppose it for several reasons,"},{"time":"10217.282","type":"text","text":"Mr. Of which are in the"},{"time":"10218.384","type":"text","text":"material so I want to highlight"},{"time":"10220.886","type":"text","text":"some of those issues."},{"time":"10221.821","type":"text","text":"If you would just bear with me"},{"time":"10222.688","type":"text","text":"in the interest of time."},{"time":"10226.745","type":"text","text":"I would like to address the"},{"time":"10226.805","type":"text","text":"proposals adverse impact on"},{"time":"10236.803","type":"text","text":"racial and ethnic diversity"},{"time":"10240.606","type":"text","text":"also, I would like to discuss a"},{"time":"10241.741","type":"text","text":"violation of the separation of"},{"time":"10243.442","type":"text","text":"powers within our branches of"},{"time":"10244.744","type":"text","text":"government, caused by the"},{"time":"10246.612","type":"text","text":"proposal, as well as the"},{"time":"10248.981","type":"text","text":"detrimental impact on judicial"},{"time":"10250.216","type":"text","text":"independence."},{"time":"10251.751","type":"text","text":"As an initial matter we trust"},{"time":"10254.254","type":"text","text":"that, preaching to the choir"},{"time":"10256.022","type":"text","text":"here where justice troutman"},{"time":"10257.757","type":"text","text":"mentioned and it was echoed by"},{"time":"10258.858","type":"text","text":"several other individuals,"},{"time":"10261.16","type":"text","text":"racial and ethnic diversity in"},{"time":"10262.495","type":"text","text":"the judiciary is essential to"},{"time":"10264.163","type":"text","text":"increased public confidence, in"},{"time":"10265.231","type":"text","text":"the judiciary as well as the"},{"time":"10267.067","type":"text","text":"court system as a whole as well"},{"time":"10268.268","type":"text","text":"as for the other reasons"},{"time":"10271.604","type":"text","text":"submitted in our submission."},{"time":"10272.872","type":"text","text":"So if you do mind I would like"},{"time":"10274.44","type":"text","text":"to respond to question that you"},{"time":"10275.942","type":"text","text":"asked the last group regarding"},{"time":"10277.41","type":"text","text":"why is it important and the"},{"time":"10278.878","type":"text","text":"appellate division in terms of"},{"time":"10279.446","type":"text","text":"diversity."},{"time":"10280.347","type":"text","text":"And, some of this main things"},{"time":"10283.049","type":"text","text":"that come to mind is, as I see"},{"time":"10284.284","type":"text","text":"myself with my colleagueser we"},{"time":"10285.252","type":"text","text":"discuss legal issues from time"},{"time":"10287.187","type":"text","text":"to time, and when you have"},{"time":"10291.858","type":"text","text":"judges of a diverse background,"},{"time":"10292.659","type":"text","text":"ethnicity, economic background,"},{"time":"10294.194","type":"text","text":"where you May be from and which"},{"time":"10295.362","type":"text","text":"parts of testify state or"},{"time":"10296.896","type":"text","text":"country, it is so very"},{"time":"10297.197","type":"text","text":"important."},{"time":"10300.299","type":"text","text":"And I don't mean to take up my"},{"time":"10569","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101266","guid":"820778b1-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Patrick Cullen, President, New York Supreme Court Officers Association"},{"time":"10646.215","type":"text","text":"time with anecdotes but and"},{"time":"10648.116","type":"text","text":"as a result of passage,"},{"time":"10650.185","type":"text","text":"implementation and life span of"},{"time":"10651.92","type":"text","text":"what amounts to an complete"},{"time":"10653.522","type":"text","text":"overhaul an entire branch"},{"time":"10653.99","type":"text","text":"government."},{"time":"10655.691","type":"text","text":"Our members cannot afford more"},{"time":"10657.059","type":"text","text":"of what we have dealt with in"},{"time":"10658.427","type":"text","text":"the past and that is we cannot"},{"time":"10662.13","type":"text","text":"be overlooked for the work we do"},{"time":"10664.3","type":"text","text":"while the budget squarely favors"},{"time":"10665.4","type":"text","text":"others within the court system."},{"time":"10667.036","type":"text","text":"If court system has made minor"},{"time":"10668.738","type":"text","text":"strides in gaining ahold on"},{"time":"10671.807","type":"text","text":"staffing levels that fell long"},{"time":"10673.842","type":"text","text":"below held standards as a result"},{"time":"10674.543","type":"text","text":"of recession, retirement"},{"time":"10676.145","type":"text","text":"incentive and years of minimal"},{"time":"10676.946","type":"text","text":"if any hiring."},{"time":"10678.381","type":"text","text":"The fact remains that presently"},{"time":"10681.483","type":"text","text":"we are still significantly"},{"time":"10682.985","type":"text","text":"understaffed to provide proper"},{"time":"10686.823","type":"text","text":"safety and security to all court"},{"time":"10687.456","type":"text","text":"users, guidelines which I have"},{"time":"10689.492","type":"text","text":"included in my submitted"},{"time":"10691.66","type":"text","text":"testimony, and issued by judge"},{"time":"10693.596","type":"text","text":"marks himself, demonstrate very"},{"time":"10696.031","type":"text","text":"clearly the system's own"},{"time":"10697.834","type":"text","text":"protocol for the sufficient"},{"time":"10699.602","type":"text","text":"staffing levels for all courts"},{"time":"10701.07","type":"text","text":"throughout the state."},{"time":"10703.672","type":"text","text":"As this relatest to today's"},{"time":"10707.009","type":"text","text":"subject section 27, subsection f"},{"time":"10707.677","type":"text","text":"rest of the to staffing levels"},{"time":"10709.445","type":"text","text":"and their reduction."},{"time":"10713.215","type":"text","text":"It is my opinion that discussion"},{"time":"10714.884","type":"text","text":"of mi any min pum on"},{"time":"10715.952","type":"text","text":"diminishment of personnel should"},{"time":"10716.919","type":"text","text":"not be included in the"},{"time":"10718.388","type":"text","text":"constitutional amendment, more"},{"time":"10721.123","type":"text","text":"importantly, a set standard"},{"time":"10722.525","type":"text","text":"court sears per judge statewide"},{"time":"10724.427","type":"text","text":"should be included and included"},{"time":"10726.629","type":"text","text":"a part of thesey critical"},{"time":"10726.996","type":"text","text":"considerations."},{"time":"10729.165","type":"text","text":"The same plan that established"},{"time":"10730.399","type":"text","text":"newlation for judges, their"},{"time":"10732.168","type":"text","text":"status with titles and"},{"time":"10733.903","type":"text","text":"responsibilities is is the ideal"},{"time":"10736.172","type":"text","text":"opportunity to you include an"},{"time":"10737.072","type":"text","text":"appropriately suited designation"},{"time":"10738.975","type":"text","text":"for all of the court officers"},{"time":"10740.943","type":"text","text":"providing security for them as"},{"time":"10742.612","type":"text","text":"well as all the other necessary"},{"time":"10744.58","type":"text","text":"duties we provide in and around"},{"time":"10746.182","type":"text","text":"each court facility."},{"time":"10749.152","type":"text","text":"Any final amendment should une"},{"time":"10750.987","type":"text","text":"can I have kehl strive to reach"},{"time":"10753.656","type":"text","text":"certainly levels necessary to"},{"time":"10754.691","type":"text","text":"safely operate largest justice"},{"time":"10756.058","type":"text","text":"system on the planet, not seek"},{"time":"10757.994","type":"text","text":"to reach new lows."},{"time":"10760.296","type":"text","text":"Finally there are a dozen labor"},{"time":"10760.963","type":"text","text":"unions representing the"},{"time":"10763.8","type":"text","text":"thousands of men and women who"},{"time":"10765.302","type":"text","text":"dedicate their lives to sustain"},{"time":"10768.07","type":"text","text":"our court system day in and day"},{"time":"10768.304","type":"text","text":"out."},{"time":"10770.339","type":"text","text":"There are serious concerns"},{"time":"10772.642","type":"text","text":"relating to future of these"},{"time":"10773.743","type":"text","text":"organizations who provide for"},{"time":"10776.012","type":"text","text":"and protect so many new yorkers."},{"time":"10777.947","type":"text","text":"We cannot support any plan which"},{"time":"10779.682","type":"text","text":"does not allow a foundation for"},{"time":"10782.518","type":"text","text":"the continuance of the labor"},{"time":"10783.559","type":"text","text":"movement."},{"time":"10784.287","type":"text","text":"An understanding must be met in"},{"time":"10786.455","type":"text","text":"which bargaining certificates"},{"time":"10787.858","type":"text","text":"issued by under the tail law"},{"time":"10789.792","type":"text","text":"must be sustained."},{"time":"10791.761","type":"text","text":"And the ernest representation"},{"time":"10792.963","type":"text","text":"all workers within the court"},{"time":"10794.197","type":"text","text":"system be maintained."},{"time":"10797.533","type":"text","text":"Any effort to subvert the labor"},{"time":"10798.334","type":"text","text":"movement with however subtle,"},{"time":"10800.971","type":"text","text":"considered an encroachment on"},{"time":"10801.471","type":"text","text":"all."},{"time":"10805.709","type":"text","text":"It is imperative that management"},{"time":"10807.143","type":"text","text":"address the severe aftermath"},{"time":"10808.778","type":"text","text":"brought to by ignoring these"},{"time":"10810.68","type":"text","text":"long established associations"},{"time":"10811.982","type":"text","text":"and their determined advocacy p"},{"time":"10813.549","type":"text","text":"any final submission to the"},{"time":"10815.518","type":"text","text":"legislature of this amendment"},{"time":"10816.153","type":"text","text":"requires distinct reference to"},{"time":"10817.921","type":"text","text":"the future of the unions and the"},{"time":"10818.521","type":"text","text":"rights granted to labor under"},{"time":"10820.557","type":"text","text":"the law."},{"time":"10824.194","type":"text","text":"Our members are hard-working"},{"time":"10825.161","type":"text","text":"taxpayers and no one would deny"},{"time":"10826.963","type":"text","text":"the desire for us to want to see"},{"time":"10828.598","type":"text","text":"our public institutions be more"},{"time":"10830.334","type":"text","text":"cost effective and efficient,"},{"time":"10833.436","type":"text","text":"especially the one that we"},{"time":"10833.803","type":"text","text":"to."},{"time":"10835.438","type":"text","text":"I know this committee and all"},{"time":"10836.673","type":"text","text":"the elected officials will"},{"time":"10838.374","type":"text","text":"gather all the information"},{"time":"10839.809","type":"text","text":"necessary to make the most"},{"time":"10842.179","type":"text","text":"responsible decision in this"},{"time":"10842.412","type":"text","text":"matter."},{"time":"10844.08","type":"text","text":"It is far too important a"},{"time":"10845.449","type":"text","text":"decision to make based on"},{"time":"10846.85","type":"text","text":"political factors and certainly"},{"time":"10850.12","type":"text","text":"one to make his tilley either,"},{"time":"10851.088","type":"text","text":"especially at the expense of our"},{"time":"10851.955","type":"text","text":"workers, their families and, of"},{"time":"10852.822","type":"text","text":"course, public safety."},{"time":"10864.467","type":"text","text":"Thank you for your time today"},{"time":"10864.735","type":"text","text":"todayn==."},{"time":"10865.669","type":"text","text":">> thank you for your testimony"},{"time":"10868.338","type":"text","text":"today, and I'd be happy to share"},{"time":"10870.04","type":"text","text":"with you the numbers we have in"},{"time":"10872.142","type":"text","text":"terms of appointed versus"},{"time":"10872.776","type":"text","text":"elected."},{"time":"10873.877","type":"text","text":"Perhaps it is a discrepancy"},{"time":"10875","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101267","guid":"820b52b4-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"10875.045","type":"text","text":"involving the inclusion of"},{"time":"10876.847","type":"text","text":"housing court judges or not in"},{"time":"10878.448","type":"text","text":"terms of the calculation of that"},{"time":"10878.682","type":"text","text":"number."},{"time":"10882.285","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"10885.756","type":"text","text":">> I just have one quick"},{"time":"10886.19","type":"text","text":"question\/statement."},{"time":"10887.858","type":"text","text":"And I pointed this out last week"},{"time":"10889.693","type":"text","text":"in new york city."},{"time":"10893.93","type":"text","text":"In the first department, there"},{"time":"10896.299","type":"text","text":"are somewhere around 20 slots on"},{"time":"10899","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101268","guid":"820df676-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz"},{"time":"10899.469","type":"text","text":"the appellate division, give or"},{"time":"10901.138","type":"text","text":"take, although I know there were"},{"time":"10902.072","type":"text","text":"several vacancies."},{"time":"10903.206","type":"text","text":"That's one."},{"time":"10906.31","type":"text","text":"Two, I think it's a fact that of"},{"time":"10908.379","type":"text","text":"all the judicial districts, the"},{"time":"10911.315","type":"text","text":"one that is most diverse,"},{"time":"10913.718","type":"text","text":"without question, is the bronx."},{"time":"10916.22","type":"text","text":"And three, there are only three"},{"time":"10918.522","type":"text","text":"bronx judges on the appellate"},{"time":"10919.089","type":"text","text":"division."},{"time":"10921.859","type":"text","text":"So if you do the math, if"},{"time":"10923.527","type":"text","text":"there's any issues of the"},{"time":"10925.228","type":"text","text":"diversity, at least in the first"},{"time":"10927.064","type":"text","text":"department, the fact that so few"},{"time":"10930.935","type":"text","text":"bronx judges are appointed, and"},{"time":"10932.336","type":"text","text":"it's hard for me to believe that"},{"time":"10934.371","type":"text","text":"none of them are qualified -- we"},{"time":"10935.84","type":"text","text":"just got an appointment very"},{"time":"10939.509","type":"text","text":"recently, in fact -- but the"},{"time":"10940.878","type":"text","text":"severe underrepresentation of"},{"time":"10942.513","type":"text","text":"the bronx in the first"},{"time":"10943.714","type":"text","text":"department where there's only"},{"time":"10946.884","type":"text","text":"two boroughs, two counties, I"},{"time":"10948.252","type":"text","text":"think contributes to what May be"},{"time":"10950.254","type":"text","text":"a lack of diversity, at least in"},{"time":"10951.689","type":"text","text":"the first department, compared"},{"time":"10954.158","type":"text","text":"to what we should be able to do."},{"time":"10955.426","type":"text","text":">> you're absolutely right, and"},{"time":"10958.362","type":"text","text":"I would urge the committee to"},{"time":"10959.997","type":"text","text":"also -- this is not our battle"},{"time":"10960.931","type":"text","text":"today, but also look at the"},{"time":"10963.267","type":"text","text":"numbers of people who came from"},{"time":"10964.769","type":"text","text":"criminal court, supreme criminal"},{"time":"10966.037","type":"text","text":"term, and think about the"},{"time":"10966.904","type":"text","text":"numbers with the court of claims"},{"time":"10968.339","type":"text","text":"and who is appointed to those"},{"time":"10969.674","type":"text","text":"courts."},{"time":"10970.642","type":"text","text":"Point to move up."},{"time":"10972.977","type":"text","text":"You the but I just don't expect"},{"time":"10976.314","type":"text","text":"that those percentages will"},{"time":"10981.285","type":"text","text":"increase based on the consolidation of"},{"time":"10981.92","type":"text","text":"the courts."},{"time":"10985.256","type":"text","text":"When you look at the court of"},{"time":"10985.924","type":"text","text":"claims, those numbers speak for"},{"time":"10986.224","type":"text","text":"themselves."},{"time":"10987.692","type":"text","text":"It's not just that."},{"time":"10989.493","type":"text","text":"We could talk about family court"},{"time":"10992.597","type":"text","text":"and the surrogates' court"},{"time":"10993.598","type":"text","text":"outside of new york city."},{"time":"10995.699","type":"text","text":"Court after court after court,"},{"time":"10996.601","type":"text","text":"the numbers are abysmal."},{"time":"10998.836","type":"text","text":">> let me just add something for"},{"time":"11000.205","type":"text","text":"everyone's information."},{"time":"11001.439","type":"text","text":"Any new justices that are"},{"time":"11003.408","type":"text","text":"created under this plan would"},{"time":"11005.709","type":"text","text":"have to be elected, not"},{"time":"11006.043","type":"text","text":"appointed."},{"time":"11008.179","type":"text","text":"So I'm not sure if that was"},{"time":"11010.615","type":"text","text":"clear in the presentation by the"},{"time":"11011.016","type":"text","text":"chief judge."},{"time":"11013.151","type":"text","text":">> yes, we definitely understood"},{"time":"11013.651","type":"text","text":"that."},{"time":"11014.719","type":"text","text":"Ir guess my concern is that"},{"time":"11015.62","type":"text","text":"there are other ways that we can"},{"time":"11017.622","type":"text","text":"do it, and I don't want to take"},{"time":"11020.225","type":"text","text":"up your time to discuss that"},{"time":"11021.492","type":"text","text":"unless you'd like me to."},{"time":"11022.994","type":"text","text":"I know you have other people to"},{"time":"11023.695","type":"text","text":"speak."},{"time":"11025.33","type":"text","text":"But there can be plenty of ways"},{"time":"11026.631","type":"text","text":"for that to happen without this"},{"time":"11026.964","type":"text","text":"sort of plan."},{"time":"11029.3","type":"text","text":">> I'd like to ask the judge,"},{"time":"11031.236","type":"text","text":"what was your practice"},{"time":"11032.103","type":"text","text":"background before you were"},{"time":"11032.937","type":"text","text":"elected to judge?"},{"time":"11034.906","type":"text","text":">> it was mixed."},{"time":"11036.24","type":"text","text":"I'm one of those individuals, I"},{"time":"11037.041","type":"text","text":"started at the district"},{"time":"11038","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101265","guid":"8204e492-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Assemblymember Phillip Steck"},{"time":"11038.576","type":"text","text":"attorney's office in manhattan."},{"time":"11040.479","type":"text","text":"Then I did some insurance"},{"time":"11042.513","type":"text","text":"defense work where I also was"},{"time":"11044.816","type":"text","text":"able to handle plaintiffs cases"},{"time":"11046.25","type":"text","text":"in an insurance defense firm,"},{"time":"11048.286","type":"text","text":"midsize firm or small I guess"},{"time":"11048.953","type":"text","text":"under these standards."},{"time":"11050.588","type":"text","text":"And then I did criminal defense."},{"time":"11051.823","type":"text","text":"I had my own practice."},{"time":"11053.892","type":"text","text":"I was appointed to the cja panel"},{"time":"11055.56","type":"text","text":"in southern district."},{"time":"11057.962","type":"text","text":"Primarily my defense work was in"},{"time":"11058.664","type":"text","text":"federal court as well as state"},{"time":"11060.298","type":"text","text":"court as well as pi cases,"},{"time":"11061.066","type":"text","text":"things like that."},{"time":"11065.604","type":"text","text":">> do you feel that when"},{"time":"11067.539","type":"text","text":"judicial appointments are made"},{"time":"11070.642","type":"text","text":"by the governor or the chief"},{"time":"11072.277","type":"text","text":"executive, that that enhances"},{"time":"11077.116","type":"text","text":"the likelihood that wall"},{"time":"11079.317","type":"text","text":"street-type big firm lawyers are"},{"time":"11081.186","type":"text","text":"going to be picked because"},{"time":"11083.856","type":"text","text":"they're the ones who have the"},{"time":"11085.223","type":"text","text":"connections to the governor?"},{"time":"11087.559","type":"text","text":">> that's what some people say."},{"time":"11089.394","type":"text","text":"You're about to get me in"},{"time":"11090.929","type":"text","text":"trouble so I'm not going to go"},{"time":"11091.129","type":"text","text":"there."},{"time":"11092.931","type":"text","text":"That's what some people say."},{"time":"11094.633","type":"text","text":"I urge you to look at, and this"},{"time":"11097.135","type":"text","text":"is my limited interference in"},{"time":"11097.703","type":"text","text":"manhattan, let's look at the"},{"time":"11099.138","type":"text","text":"commercial decision and the"},{"time":"11100.305","type":"text","text":"number of court of claims judges"},{"time":"11101.606","type":"text","text":"that are appointed and go"},{"time":"11103.041","type":"text","text":"straight, maybe not straight but"},{"time":"11104.776","type":"text","text":"within a brief periods of time"},{"time":"11105.377","type":"text","text":"tow that division."},{"time":"11106.779","type":"text","text":"They're note eligible at this"},{"time":"11108.747","type":"text","text":"point to go to the appellate"},{"time":"11110.315","type":"text","text":"division, but certainly my"},{"time":"11111.316","type":"text","text":"colleagues in the commercial"},{"time":"11113.285","type":"text","text":"division are all, you know, with"},{"time":"11114.553","type":"text","text":"varied experiences very more"},{"time":"11116.855","type":"text","text":"than capable of handling the"},{"time":"11118.023","type":"text","text":"work that they do, but that's"},{"time":"11118.957","type":"text","text":"just one thing."},{"time":"11120.625","type":"text","text":"Also in my papers -- I didn't"},{"time":"11122.027","type":"text","text":"get into it but I want to say"},{"time":"11123.662","type":"text","text":"when you look at court of claims"},{"time":"11125.063","type":"text","text":"I also urge to you look at"},{"time":"11126.932","type":"text","text":"category a and see those coveted"},{"time":"11128.634","type":"text","text":"spots and look at the numbers."},{"time":"11130.002","type":"text","text":"Until the history I believe"},{"time":"11131.169","type":"text","text":"there are only three"},{"time":"11132.104","type":"text","text":"african-americans and one latino"},{"time":"11134.306","type":"text","text":"who ever received that in the"},{"time":"11136.008","type":"text","text":"100 years of that court, so I"},{"time":"11139.211","type":"text","text":"really don't see we're adding in"},{"time":"11139.945","type":"text","text":"those justices on the supreme"},{"time":"11142.481","type":"text","text":"court would enhance diversity."},{"time":"11143.749","type":"text","text":">> I think we have lessons from"},{"time":"11144.616","type":"text","text":"other court systems."},{"time":"11146.185","type":"text","text":"If you look at the judicial"},{"time":"11146.985","type":"text","text":"appointments on the federal"},{"time":"11148.553","type":"text","text":"level in the state of new york,"},{"time":"11152.29","type":"text","text":"you found very few that were not"},{"time":"11152.791","type":"text","text":"assistant united states"},{"time":"11154.927","type":"text","text":"attorneys or from big wall"},{"time":"11155.861","type":"text","text":"street firms."},{"time":"11156.695","type":"text","text":"Very, very few."},{"time":"11158.698","type":"text","text":">> I would also urge to you look"},{"time":"11160.933","type":"text","text":"at the appointment processes in"},{"time":"11162.868","type":"text","text":"terms of the standing committees"},{"time":"11164.503","type":"text","text":"in order for the judiciary when"},{"time":"11166.005","type":"text","text":"they're selecting adjusts and"},{"time":"11167.973","type":"text","text":"judges in the appointment"},{"time":"11169.141","type":"text","text":"process and be look a some of"},{"time":"11170.509","type":"text","text":"the biases from individuals who"},{"time":"11172.845","type":"text","text":"are asked to be members of that"},{"time":"11173.178","type":"text","text":"committee."},{"time":"11173.512","type":"text","text":">> well said."},{"time":"11175.547","type":"text","text":">> I felt it having my own firm."},{"time":"11177","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101269","guid":"82111ce1-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Camille J. Mackler, Esq., Director of Immigration Legal Policy, New York Immigration Coalition"},{"time":"11178.117","type":"text","text":">> well said."},{"time":"11178.684","type":"text","text":"Thank you both."},{"time":"11180.286","type":"text","text":">> thank you so much."},{"time":"11185.991","type":"text","text":">> camille mackler, laura lad"},{"time":"11213.419","type":"text","text":"bierman, maha syed."},{"time":"11214.92","type":"text","text":"S Ms. Mackler."},{"time":"11220.059","type":"text","text":">> thank you, senator hoylman"},{"time":"11220.526","type":"text","text":"and senator dinowitz."},{"time":"11221.995","type":"text","text":"I'm here representing the new"},{"time":"11223.029","type":"text","text":"york immigration coalition."},{"time":"11225.798","type":"text","text":"We are a coalition of over 200"},{"time":"11226.765","type":"text","text":"organizations that serve"},{"time":"11228.4","type":"text","text":"immigrants cross anaerobic state"},{"time":"11230.103","type":"text","text":"from long island to buffalo."},{"time":"11232.771","type":"text","text":"We're the largest and oldest"},{"time":"11234.474","type":"text","text":"statewide policy and advocacy"},{"time":"11237.177","type":"text","text":"coalition that serves this is"},{"time":"11239.211","type":"text","text":"collect voice of immigrant new"},{"time":"11239.746","type":"text","text":"york else I myself am."},{"time":"11241.614","type":"text","text":"The I work on cancel to counsel"},{"time":"11242.982","type":"text","text":"and access to justice issues."},{"time":"11244.784","type":"text","text":"This is important to immigrant"},{"time":"11245.618","type":"text","text":"communities because you"},{"time":"11247.453","type":"text","text":"immigrants are 4 million new"},{"time":"11247.687","type":"text","text":"yorkers."},{"time":"11249.222","type":"text","text":"That's almost a quarter of our"},{"time":"11251.458","type":"text","text":"state's population."},{"time":"11254.16","type":"text","text":"Of those, and of our state"},{"time":"11255.662","type":"text","text":"population, one in five children"},{"time":"11257.363","type":"text","text":"who are a U.S. Citizens have a"},{"time":"11259.799","type":"text","text":"parent who is an immigrant"},{"time":"11260.099","type":"text","text":"themselves."},{"time":"11261.367","type":"text","text":"They are huge contributors to"},{"time":"11264.203","type":"text","text":"our state's economic life, to"},{"time":"11265.571","type":"text","text":"our cultural vibrancy and to the"},{"time":"11267.607","type":"text","text":"ways that our cities, our towns,"},{"time":"11269.142","type":"text","text":"our towns run every day."},{"time":"11270.776","type":"text","text":"This proposal is critical to"},{"time":"11272.578","type":"text","text":"immigrant access to justice"},{"time":"11274.447","type":"text","text":"because the currently network of"},{"time":"11276.382","type":"text","text":"courts here in new york state"},{"time":"11278.718","type":"text","text":"makes it daunting for an"},{"time":"11280.787","type":"text","text":"everyday immigrant new yorker to"},{"time":"11281.888","type":"text","text":"try to access the court system"},{"time":"11282.923","type":"text","text":"and address his rights, and you"},{"time":"11284.658","type":"text","text":"have to understand that what"},{"time":"11286.259","type":"text","text":"when we're talking about"},{"time":"11287.026","type":"text","text":"immigrants, we are talking about"},{"time":"11289.129","type":"text","text":"individuals who by and large"},{"time":"11290.463","type":"text","text":"come from countries where these"},{"time":"11291.865","type":"text","text":"institutions cannot be trusted."},{"time":"11293.3","type":"text","text":"Over half new york's immigrants"},{"time":"11294.601","type":"text","text":"come from countries that the"},{"time":"11295.802","type":"text","text":"U.S. Department of states has"},{"time":"11298.905","type":"text","text":"found to be rife with"},{"time":"11300.039","type":"text","text":"corruption, to have court"},{"time":"11301.708","type":"text","text":"judgments not be upheld, to in"},{"time":"11305.545","type":"text","text":"fact have court officials not be"},{"time":"11307.28","type":"text","text":"part of a corrupt system that"},{"time":"11308.948","type":"text","text":"cannot be held accountable even"},{"time":"11309.816","type":"text","text":"when these systems function as"},{"time":"11311.084","type":"text","text":"they should."},{"time":"11313.086","type":"text","text":"So we are already starting at a"},{"time":"11314.888","type":"text","text":"disadvantage when we try to"},{"time":"11315.922","type":"text","text":"convince our immigrant neighbors"},{"time":"11318.325","type":"text","text":"to go to the courts to protect"},{"time":"11320.627","type":"text","text":"their rights and seek legal"},{"time":"11320.96","type":"text","text":"redress."},{"time":"11322.796","type":"text","text":"The current system is so overly"},{"time":"11323.663","type":"text","text":"complicated that it is"},{"time":"11324.931","type":"text","text":"impossible to explain to them"},{"time":"11327.467","type":"text","text":"how to do so once we have"},{"time":"11328.669","type":"text","text":"overturned that trust p gay, and"},{"time":"11330.971","type":"text","text":"so the proposal to simplify the"},{"time":"11335.022","type":"text","text":"trial courts would actually help"},{"time":"11335.082","type":"text","text":"advocates and lawyers better"},{"time":"11336.41","type":"text","text":"understand and expert better"},{"time":"11337.777","type":"text","text":"explain to immigrants how to"},{"time":"11339.413","type":"text","text":"take that first step in the"},{"time":"11340.48","type":"text","text":"first place."},{"time":"11342.449","type":"text","text":"In the immigration community"},{"time":"11344.551","type":"text","text":"world we often have to rely on"},{"time":"11347.721","type":"text","text":"non-lawyers to bridge a gap"},{"time":"11348.689","type":"text","text":"between the community members"},{"time":"11350.924","type":"text","text":"from the legal services, even as"},{"time":"11352.226","type":"text","text":"an immigration attorney myself I"},{"time":"11354.728","type":"text","text":"have often often had tow rely on"},{"time":"11355.428","type":"text","text":"community-based organizations to"},{"time":"11358.532","type":"text","text":"create that trust and to engage"},{"time":"11360","type":"text","text":"in a trusted relationship with"},{"time":"11361.868","type":"text","text":"my own clients because often"},{"time":"11366.006","type":"text","text":"there needs to be cultural,"},{"time":"11368.275","type":"text","text":"cultural divisions to be bridged"},{"time":"11368.776","type":"text","text":"as well."},{"time":"11370.51","type":"text","text":"One place specifically that the"},{"time":"11371.678","type":"text","text":"courts have failed on immigrant"},{"time":"11373.48","type":"text","text":"communities is in language"},{"time":"11373.714","type":"text","text":"access."},{"time":"11376.35","type":"text","text":"I obviously want to highlight"},{"time":"11378.218","type":"text","text":"the effort that have been made"},{"time":"11380.287","type":"text","text":"had to grant language access in"},{"time":"11381.755","type":"text","text":"courts to our immigrant"},{"time":"11383.057","type":"text","text":"neighbors, but the reality is"},{"time":"11384.258","type":"text","text":"that there are not enough"},{"time":"11385.459","type":"text","text":"resources, and when they are"},{"time":"11387.36","type":"text","text":"spread out across such a complex"},{"time":"11389.062","type":"text","text":"system, oftentimes cases have to"},{"time":"11391.765","type":"text","text":"be adjourned or postponed in"},{"time":"11393.467","type":"text","text":"other ways, and proceedings are"},{"time":"11396.771","type":"text","text":"delayed simply because a"},{"time":"11398.305","type":"text","text":"language wasn't viral a"},{"time":"11400.074","type":"text","text":"translator, interpreter was not"},{"time":"11400.374","type":"text","text":"available."},{"time":"11401.608","type":"text","text":"This is particularly true fore"},{"time":"11402.743","type":"text","text":"languages beyond spanish."},{"time":"11403.911","type":"text","text":"But, you know, in new york by"},{"time":"11405.846","type":"text","text":"new york city, the new york city"},{"time":"11406.947","type":"text","text":"planning department estimates"},{"time":"11408.616","type":"text","text":"there are 200 languages spoken"},{"time":"11410.083","type":"text","text":"in new york and advocates"},{"time":"11412.653","type":"text","text":"estimate that there could be up"},{"time":"11414.154","type":"text","text":"to 800 languages when you take"},{"time":"11415.69","type":"text","text":"into account indigenous"},{"time":"11416.824","type":"text","text":"languages and, of course, a"},{"time":"11417.792","type":"text","text":"french terp from her haiti is"},{"time":"11419.26","type":"text","text":"not the same thing as a french"},{"time":"11420.827","type":"text","text":"interpreter from senegal and we"},{"time":"11421.962","type":"text","text":"have all the these communities,"},{"time":"11423.864","type":"text","text":"brooklyn and queens are some of"},{"time":"11424.899","type":"text","text":"the twos diverse cities in our"},{"time":"11425.799","type":"text","text":"country."},{"time":"11429.069","type":"text","text":"And the third way in which this"},{"time":"11430.138","type":"text","text":"proposal was supported our"},{"time":"11432.039","type":"text","text":"communities is by the very"},{"time":"11433.474","type":"text","text":"virtue that immigration lawyers"},{"time":"11434.942","type":"text","text":"will not to go state court."},{"time":"11436.911","type":"text","text":"I can tell you as an immigration"},{"time":"11438.145","type":"text","text":"lawyer that I very often shied"},{"time":"11440.547","type":"text","text":"away from taking cases, even"},{"time":"11442.116","type":"text","text":"pro bono cases, because I did"},{"time":"11443.417","type":"text","text":"not have the bandwidth, the"},{"time":"11444.785","type":"text","text":"capacity or the ability to learn"},{"time":"11446.387","type":"text","text":"how to navigate that system."},{"time":"11447.487","type":"text","text":"And this is coming from somebody"},{"time":"11449.156","type":"text","text":"who is used to appearing every"},{"time":"11450.291","type":"text","text":"day in immigration court, and I"},{"time":"11451.659","type":"text","text":"don't know if you've been"},{"time":"11453.494","type":"text","text":"reading the news but that is not"},{"time":"11454.562","type":"text","text":"an easy system to understand"},{"time":"11456.464","type":"text","text":"itself, and I still found the"},{"time":"11458.165","type":"text","text":"state system more daunting, and"},{"time":"11459.533","type":"text","text":"because of that, when immigrants"},{"time":"11461.535","type":"text","text":"need to go to state court"},{"time":"11462.67","type":"text","text":"because there are oftentimes"},{"time":"11464.071","type":"text","text":"when an immigrant needs to go to"},{"time":"11466.04","type":"text","text":"a state court to obtain certain"},{"time":"11470.095","type":"text","text":"paperwork or certain relief in"},{"time":"11470.843","type":"text","text":"order to move forward with an"},{"time":"11471.56","type":"text","text":"application to remain the in"},{"time":"11472.292","type":"text","text":"united states lawfully, we can't"},{"time":"11474.181","type":"text","text":"even find a lawyer to accompany"},{"time":"11476.818","type":"text","text":"them in that moment to navigate"},{"time":"11477.985","type":"text","text":"the state court."},{"time":"11478.853","type":"text","text":"So simplifying the system I"},{"time":"11480.588","type":"text","text":"think would give you la years"},{"time":"11482.99","type":"text","text":"confidence to more easily access"},{"time":"11484.659","type":"text","text":"the state system which would"},{"time":"11486.995","type":"text","text":"help us increase rates of"},{"time":"11487.661","type":"text","text":"representation, andi'm talking"},{"time":"11489.464","type":"text","text":"about unaccompanied children,"},{"time":"11490.731","type":"text","text":"I'm talking about victims crime,"},{"time":"11492.066","type":"text","text":"I'm talking about some of the"},{"time":"11493.168","type":"text","text":"most vulnerable of our community"},{"time":"11494.802","type":"text","text":"members who don't have access."},{"time":"11496.103","type":"text","text":"And I know I'm running out of"},{"time":"11497.472","type":"text","text":"time so the last thing I want to"},{"time":"11499.006","type":"text","text":"say is the only thing I would"},{"time":"11500.008","type":"text","text":"ask that these proposals include"},{"time":"11502.577","type":"text","text":"in a final version is a"},{"time":"11504.212","type":"text","text":"guarantee to our immigrant"},{"time":"11506.514","type":"text","text":"communities that they are safe"},{"time":"11507.749","type":"text","text":"from accessing our state courts."},{"time":"11509.451","type":"text","text":"Of course, senator I'm referring"},{"time":"11511.319","type":"text","text":"to protect our course of the app"},{"time":"11513.054","type":"text","text":"but there is a huge chilling"},{"time":"11514.256","type":"text","text":"effect that is happening right"},{"time":"11515.19","type":"text","text":"now when immigrants don't know"},{"time":"11517.091","type":"text","text":"that if they go to court, they"},{"time":"11518.96","type":"text","text":"won't end up in the deportation"},{"time":"11520.395","type":"text","text":"pipeline and we want to make"},{"time":"11521.662","type":"text","text":"hure that that is included from"},{"time":"11522.531","type":"text","text":"the get-go."},{"time":"11522.931","type":"text","text":"Thank you."},{"time":"11524.198","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"11524.532","type":"text","text":"Ms. Bierman."},{"time":"11525.533","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"11526","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101270","guid":"8213fb14-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director, League of Women Voters NYS"},{"time":"11526.234","type":"text","text":"Good afternoon."},{"time":"11528.77","type":"text","text":"My name is laura lat bierman and"},{"time":"11530.438","type":"text","text":"I'm the executive director of"},{"time":"11531.206","type":"text","text":"league of women voters of new"},{"time":"11532.04","type":"text","text":"york state."},{"time":"11533.075","type":"text","text":"On behalf of the league you want"},{"time":"11534.309","type":"text","text":"to thank the committees for the"},{"time":"11535.777","type":"text","text":"opportunity to speak about the"},{"time":"11538.046","type":"text","text":"proposed quoter reenforcements."},{"time":"11539.981","type":"text","text":"The league of women voters a"},{"time":"11540.449","type":"text","text":"non-partisan political"},{"time":"11541.983","type":"text","text":"organization that encourages"},{"time":"11543.284","type":"text","text":"informed and active"},{"time":"11544.252","type":"text","text":"participation in government and"},{"time":"11546.021","type":"text","text":"works to increase understanding"},{"time":"11548.056","type":"text","text":"of major public policy through"},{"time":"11551.226","type":"text","text":"education and advocacy."},{"time":"11552.627","type":"text","text":"We steek to strengthen democracy"},{"time":"11554.729","type":"text","text":"through support of a pan mif"},{"time":"11555.63","type":"text","text":"issues including protects right"},{"time":"11558.066","type":"text","text":"to vote, transparent and ethical"},{"time":"11559.334","type":"text","text":"management of government be with"},{"time":"11560.302","type":"text","text":"equal rights and equal"},{"time":"11563.471","type":"text","text":"opportunity for all, access to"},{"time":"11565.307","type":"text","text":"resources which fulfill basic"},{"time":"11568.31","type":"text","text":"human needs, affordable quality"},{"time":"11569.177","type":"text","text":"health care, protection and"},{"time":"11570.879","type":"text","text":"preservation of our natural"},{"time":"11571.146","type":"text","text":"resources."},{"time":"11573.681","type":"text","text":"None of these goals can be met"},{"time":"11575.784","type":"text","text":"without a judicial system which"},{"time":"11577.819","type":"text","text":"dispenses justice equally for"},{"time":"11578.253","type":"text","text":"all."},{"time":"11580.322","type":"text","text":"Within a framework which is"},{"time":"11582.457","type":"text","text":"easily understood and navigated"},{"time":"11584.292","type":"text","text":"by those hoe seek the assistants"},{"time":"11584.96","type":"text","text":"court."},{"time":"11586.294","type":"text","text":"The proposal of the chief judge"},{"time":"11588.23","type":"text","text":"to simplify the new york court"},{"time":"11590.866","type":"text","text":"system is long overtew and"},{"time":"11591.967","type":"text","text":"essential to meeting these"},{"time":"11592.534","type":"text","text":"goals."},{"time":"11594.469","type":"text","text":"The state of new york had for a"},{"time":"11596.071","type":"text","text":"long time been lang behind many"},{"time":"11597.373","type":"text","text":"of our sister states in many of"},{"time":"11599.04","type":"text","text":"the benchmarks which"},{"time":"11600.375","type":"text","text":"characterized a modern and"},{"time":"11602.144","type":"text","text":"dynamic government, but we have"},{"time":"11604.947","type":"text","text":"reasonable witnessed reform in"},{"time":"11606.915","type":"text","text":"many essential ingredients of a"},{"time":"11609.317","type":"text","text":"dynamic and thriving sem is I"},{"time":"11610.986","type":"text","text":"such as a flu districting man"},{"time":"11613.388","type":"text","text":"be, early voting, reenforcements"},{"time":"11616.292","type":"text","text":"to campaign someone and"},{"time":"11617.793","type":"text","text":"restoration voting rights for"},{"time":"11618.127","type":"text","text":"ex-offenders."},{"time":"11622.175","type":"text","text":"The league advocated for teach"},{"time":"11622.228","type":"text","text":"of those and have been"},{"time":"11622.31","type":"text","text":"appreciative by the results"},{"time":"11623.632","type":"text","text":"which have been obtained by the"},{"time":"11624.733","type":"text","text":"legislature in the rabbet past"},{"time":"11626.001","type":"text","text":"in an acting these laws but it's"},{"time":"11627.869","type":"text","text":"now time to address the"},{"time":"11628.604","type":"text","text":"structure of the jewish system"},{"time":"11631.006","type":"text","text":"which is in dire need of"},{"time":"11632.641","type":"text","text":"attention and chas long been"},{"time":"11632.975","type":"text","text":"neglected."},{"time":"11634.243","type":"text","text":"The the current system is"},{"time":"11636.179","type":"text","text":"confusing tow litigants and"},{"time":"11637.579","type":"text","text":"costly to everyone involved in"},{"time":"11638.814","type":"text","text":"the courts."},{"time":"11640.115","type":"text","text":"Litigants, the court system"},{"time":"11642.685","type":"text","text":"itself and taxpayers."},{"time":"11644.253","type":"text","text":"The league women voters is 100"},{"time":"11646.122","type":"text","text":"years old this week."},{"time":"11648.29","type":"text","text":"And we have been seeking court"},{"time":"11651.126","type":"text","text":"simplification for 60 of those"},{"time":"11651.327","type":"text","text":"years."},{"time":"11653.229","type":"text","text":"Our position adopted and crafted"},{"time":"11655.598","type":"text","text":"by or members three generations"},{"time":"11659.168","type":"text","text":"ago states \"there shall be an"},{"time":"11659.702","type":"text","text":"integrated statewide court"},{"time":"11661.47","type":"text","text":"system consisting of a anybody"},{"time":"11664.807","type":"text","text":"mum number of trial courts of"},{"time":"11666.475","type":"text","text":"broad jurisdiction."},{"time":"11667.542","type":"text","text":"Cases and judicial personal"},{"time":"11669.078","type":"text","text":"shall be transferable from one"},{"time":"11672.314","type":"text","text":"court to another to the greatest"},{"time":"11673.248","type":"text","text":"extent possible.\""},{"time":"11676.285","type":"text","text":"so our goal has been simple."},{"time":"11677.586","type":"text","text":"We have supported efforts during"},{"time":"11681.633","type":"text","text":"this calf half century to daily"},{"time":"11681.695","type":"text","text":"unified statewide court system"},{"time":"11683.158","type":"text","text":"consisting of a minimum number"},{"time":"11684.693","type":"text","text":"of trial courts of broad"},{"time":"11685.995","type":"text","text":"jurisdiction."},{"time":"11687.73","type":"text","text":"We agreed with former chief"},{"time":"11690.9","type":"text","text":"judge judith kay who in 2001"},{"time":"11692.234","type":"text","text":"stated \"court restructuring is"},{"time":"11693.836","type":"text","text":"an essential foundation for a"},{"time":"11695.104","type":"text","text":"vibrant court system."},{"time":"11698.24","type":"text","text":"We need systemic, comprehensive"},{"time":"11699.275","type":"text","text":"court merger.\""},{"time":"11701.377","type":"text","text":"and we agreed with an advocate"},{"time":"11703.379","type":"text","text":"of pleth cough court reform"},{"time":"11703.946","type":"text","text":"proposals which have been"},{"time":"11707.483","type":"text","text":"suggested in the years before"},{"time":"11708.718","type":"text","text":"and since."},{"time":"11709.818","type":"text","text":"The present proposal"},{"time":"11711.287","type":"text","text":"consolidating the current 11"},{"time":"11712.855","type":"text","text":"separate trial courts into a"},{"time":"11714.991","type":"text","text":"three-tier model is again a"},{"time":"11716.058","type":"text","text":"proposal which the league"},{"time":"11719.095","type":"text","text":"supports east stang an"},{"time":"11720.563","type":"text","text":"integrated statewide court"},{"time":"11721.831","type":"text","text":"system such a consolidation had"},{"time":"11723.933","type":"text","text":"will provide the need add jilt"},{"time":"11727.136","type":"text","text":"and flexibility to assure equal"},{"time":"11727.737","type":"text","text":"access to justice threw court"},{"time":"11727.971","type":"text","text":"system."},{"time":"11729.839","type":"text","text":"In the past the courts which"},{"time":"11731.474","type":"text","text":"have dealt with the issues"},{"time":"11733.976","type":"text","text":"addressing our most vulnerable"},{"time":"11735.111","type":"text","text":"and disadvantaged citizens such"},{"time":"11736.779","type":"text","text":"as family court and ounce court,"},{"time":"11738.748","type":"text","text":"have been most in need of extra"},{"time":"11740.783","type":"text","text":"resources which, under our"},{"time":"11742.184","type":"text","text":"current judicial system was"},{"time":"11744.12","type":"text","text":"awkward and difficult to"},{"time":"11744.354","type":"text","text":"provide."},{"time":"11746.122","type":"text","text":"The consolidation of the trial"},{"time":"11747.724","type":"text","text":"courts will allow the court"},{"time":"11751.962","type":"text","text":"administrators to defendantly"},{"time":"11752.728","type":"text","text":"and affordablely divert"},{"time":"11753.963","type":"text","text":"resources to the areas greatest"},{"time":"11755.899","type":"text","text":"node e. Need so that litigants"},{"time":"11757.1","type":"text","text":"will be best served and our"},{"time":"11758.601","type":"text","text":"court system will be able to"},{"time":"11759.703","type":"text","text":"truly provide justice for all."},{"time":"11761.671","type":"text","text":"The the league women voters that"},{"time":"11762.872","type":"text","text":"is continually supported all"},{"time":"11764.207","type":"text","text":"proposals that make our"},{"time":"11766.143","type":"text","text":"government more efficient, user"},{"time":"11769.145","type":"text","text":"friendly, and have a maximum use"},{"time":"11771.114","type":"text","text":"of the technological advances"},{"time":"11771.381","type":"text","text":"available."},{"time":"11772.816","type":"text","text":"Our currently court system which"},{"time":"11774.651","type":"text","text":"is very antiquated, does not do"},{"time":"11775.418","type":"text","text":"this."},{"time":"11777.053","type":"text","text":"We encourage you to support this"},{"time":"11778.789","type":"text","text":"legislation to improve and"},{"time":"11780.19","type":"text","text":"strengthen our democracy."},{"time":"11781.424","type":"text","text":"Thank you again for the"},{"time":"11783.159","type":"text","text":"opportunity to speak before"},{"time":"11785.361","type":"text","text":"these committees."},{"time":"11786.295","type":"text","text":">> hi."},{"time":"11788.632","type":"text","text":"My name is maha syed."},{"time":"11789.799","type":"text","text":"I'm the executive director of"},{"time":"11789.999","type":"text","text":"the --"},{"time":"11792.435","type":"text","text":">> put the mic closer, please."},{"time":"11794","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101271","guid":"82164ac9-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Maha Syed, Executive Director, The New York Legal Services Coalition"},{"time":"11794.137","type":"text","text":">> sorry."},{"time":"11794.704","type":"text","text":"Good afternoon."},{"time":"11796.44","type":"text","text":"Thank you for the opportunity to"},{"time":"11796.673","type":"text","text":"speak."},{"time":"11798.875","type":"text","text":"My name is maha syed I'm the"},{"time":"11799.71","type":"text","text":"executive director of new york"},{"time":"11801.278","type":"text","text":"legal services coalition."},{"time":"11804.28","type":"text","text":"We are a statewide coalition of"},{"time":"11806.817","type":"text","text":"legal services organizations."},{"time":"11808.118","type":"text","text":"We are 50 organizations that"},{"time":"11809.819","type":"text","text":"collective serve every single"},{"time":"11812.822","type":"text","text":"county in new york state from"},{"time":"11814.458","type":"text","text":"montauk to niagara falls."},{"time":"11816.36","type":"text","text":"Our organizations range from"},{"time":"11818.295","type":"text","text":"large multi-service,"},{"time":"11819.729","type":"text","text":"multi-coastline county or"},{"time":"11820.463","type":"text","text":"citywide organizations to"},{"time":"11822.466","type":"text","text":"pro bono programs and to"},{"time":"11823.166","type":"text","text":"neighborhood-based organizations"},{"time":"11824.168","type":"text","text":"so really we represent a"},{"time":"11826.202","type":"text","text":"diversity of organizations, and"},{"time":"11827.604","type":"text","text":"we really want to encourage you"},{"time":"11830.573","type":"text","text":"to pass the proposed amendments"},{"time":"11832.409","type":"text","text":"to the state constitution."},{"time":"11838.181","type":"text","text":"We believe that simplifying the"},{"time":"11839.483","type":"text","text":"court system would increase"},{"time":"11841.451","type":"text","text":"access to justice for new york's"},{"time":"11843.62","type":"text","text":"most vulnerable litigants."},{"time":"11845.522","type":"text","text":"Those that the court is designed"},{"time":"11847.791","type":"text","text":"do support and serve."},{"time":"11849.259","type":"text","text":"Judge quinn touched on a point"},{"time":"11851.328","type":"text","text":"earlier today about freeing up"},{"time":"11852.863","type":"text","text":"some time of civil legal"},{"time":"11853.797","type":"text","text":"services attorneys that I really"},{"time":"11856.6","type":"text","text":"want to dig down on."},{"time":"11861.705","type":"text","text":"You know, our clients are facing"},{"time":"11863.74","type":"text","text":"issues in the essentials of"},{"time":"11863.941","type":"text","text":"life."},{"time":"11865.142","type":"text","text":"We're talking about domestic"},{"time":"11867.377","type":"text","text":"violence victims, families"},{"time":"11868.746","type":"text","text":"facing eviction and foreclosure,"},{"time":"11870.647","type":"text","text":"and really, really critical"},{"time":"11871.882","type":"text","text":"issues that can affect the rest"},{"time":"11873.283","type":"text","text":"of their lives."},{"time":"11874.385","type":"text","text":"We're also talking about clients"},{"time":"11877.154","type":"text","text":"that are 200% or below of the"},{"time":"11877.488","type":"text","text":"poverty level."},{"time":"11879.69","type":"text","text":"You heard from a number of the"},{"time":"11880.891","type":"text","text":"clients from our member"},{"time":"11884.461","type":"text","text":"organizations last week."},{"time":"11886.597","type":"text","text":"And Ms. Starr earlier today"},{"time":"11887.732","type":"text","text":"highlighted the complexity and"},{"time":"11890.334","type":"text","text":"how that poses barriers to these"},{"time":"11890.567","type":"text","text":"clients."},{"time":"11893.337","type":"text","text":"New york has really invested in"},{"time":"11895.106","type":"text","text":"access to justice for low-income"},{"time":"11898.176","type":"text","text":"new yorkers, and we went from"},{"time":"11901.312","type":"text","text":"20% representation to 36%"},{"time":"11902.346","type":"text","text":"representation, but that still"},{"time":"11904.948","type":"text","text":"means that there's 1.8 million"},{"time":"11906.617","type":"text","text":"people every year that navigate"},{"time":"11908.319","type":"text","text":"these court systems by"},{"time":"11909.052","type":"text","text":"themselves."},{"time":"11910.955","type":"text","text":"These are the most vulnerable"},{"time":"11912.756","type":"text","text":"clients in new york and they're"},{"time":"11913.524","type":"text","text":"doing this by themselves, and it"},{"time":"11917.761","type":"text","text":"is a daughter-in-ing daunting system."},{"time":"11919.864","type":"text","text":"Having to navigate less court"},{"time":"11921.332","type":"text","text":"dates means that our attorneys"},{"time":"11923.534","type":"text","text":"would be able to use our limited"},{"time":"11925.803","type":"text","text":"resources to serve more of these"},{"time":"11927.472","type":"text","text":"vulnerable populations."},{"time":"11928.972","type":"text","text":"And we really believe that this"},{"time":"11931.809","type":"text","text":"would be a benefit to all"},{"time":"11932.743","type":"text","text":"litigants involved, and we urge"},{"time":"11936.08","type":"text","text":"you to support the amendments."},{"time":"11936.947","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"11940.517","type":"text","text":"If I could just ask a question."},{"time":"11941.418","type":"text","text":"So first, happy birthday."},{"time":"11942.487","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"11944","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101272","guid":"8218e6b5-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Senator Brad Hoylman"},{"time":"11944.221","type":"text","text":">> 100 years old."},{"time":"11945.757","type":"text","text":"And 50 years of that fighting"},{"time":"11947.815","type":"text","text":"for court reform."},{"time":"11948.526","type":"text","text":"Maybe you should change your"},{"time":"11950.295","type":"text","text":"name to the league court reform"},{"time":"11950.561","type":"text","text":"advocates."},{"time":"11952.197","type":"text","text":">> that's what I was reading,"},{"time":"11953.865","type":"text","text":"one of our documents that"},{"time":"11954.999","type":"text","text":"summarizes all we have done."},{"time":"11956.801","type":"text","text":"Obviously I haven't done it all."},{"time":"11958.669","type":"text","text":"And I went back, and I was like,"},{"time":"11959.737","type":"text","text":"oh, my gosh."},{"time":"11961.139","type":"text","text":"I can't believe how many times"},{"time":"11963.741","type":"text","text":"court merger or court spliff"},{"time":"11965.576","type":"text","text":"chasing been introduced, and"},{"time":"11968.613","type":"text","text":"we've supported it many, am"},{"time":"11970.281","type":"text","text":"times."},{"time":"11970.715","type":"text","text":"Simplification and."},{"time":"11971.416","type":"text","text":"And it always fails."},{"time":"11972.817","type":"text","text":"So I'm hoping this time we can"},{"time":"11973.284","type":"text","text":"make it succeed."},{"time":"11976.254","type":"text","text":">> so from your vantage point,"},{"time":"11982.127","type":"text","text":"what would you attribute the un"},{"time":"11982.961","type":"text","text":"unsuccessful attempts to in."},{"time":"11984.996","type":"text","text":">> you mean how can we be smell"},{"time":"11985.162","type":"text","text":"of."},{"time":"11987.231","type":"text","text":">> no, why does it keep failing?"},{"time":"11989.1","type":"text","text":">> I think political interests."},{"time":"11991.203","type":"text","text":"I think it becomes a partisan or"},{"time":"11992.304","type":"text","text":"a political issue."},{"time":"11994.973","type":"text","text":"I think there's probably"},{"time":"11996.774","type":"text","text":"personal issues with who loses"},{"time":"11998.343","type":"text","text":"jobs, who is changing jobs, who"},{"time":"11999.944","type":"text","text":"has control of jobs."},{"time":"12002.947","type":"text","text":"I think all those kind of"},{"time":"12004.949","type":"text","text":"political, not necessarily all"},{"time":"12006.485","type":"text","text":"partisan but kind of political"},{"time":"12008.286","type":"text","text":"difficult positions, probably"},{"time":"12009.955","type":"text","text":"have been -- nobody could agree"},{"time":"12013.224","type":"text","text":"on it as to how the best system"},{"time":"12014.926","type":"text","text":"would operate."},{"time":"12017.596","type":"text","text":"That would be my summary."},{"time":"12023.802","type":"text","text":">> and cam I will and kamil and"},{"time":"12025.637","type":"text","text":"maha, if you could walk us"},{"time":"12028.072","type":"text","text":"through a client's, and in your"},{"time":"12030.208","type":"text","text":"case an immigrant, what state"},{"time":"12033.311","type":"text","text":"court would they likely come"},{"time":"12034.012","type":"text","text":"before?"},{"time":"12035.713","type":"text","text":"And what would their process be?"},{"time":"12038.383","type":"text","text":">> sure."},{"time":"12040.185","type":"text","text":"So to use an example that's been"},{"time":"12041.62","type":"text","text":"in the news a lot, and this is"},{"time":"12043.622","type":"text","text":"an example of when an immigrant"},{"time":"12046.658","type":"text","text":"needs to access a court for"},{"time":"12047.826","type":"text","text":"immigration purposes because"},{"time":"12049.027","type":"text","text":"obviously they're new yorkers"},{"time":"12050.495","type":"text","text":"and they need to access courts"},{"time":"12053.098","type":"text","text":"for a variety of reasons, right?"},{"time":"12054.967","type":"text","text":"Orders of protection with"},{"time":"12056.067","type":"text","text":"divorces, things that happen in"},{"time":"12059.771","type":"text","text":"life that you May need."},{"time":"12060.606","type":"text","text":"But unaccompanied children, it"},{"time":"12063.142","type":"text","text":"was referenced earlier,"},{"time":"12064.976","type":"text","text":"especially immigrant juvenile"},{"time":"12065.51","type":"text","text":"status."},{"time":"12067.513","type":"text","text":"A immigrant child who cannot be"},{"time":"12069.481","type":"text","text":"reunited with own or both"},{"time":"12071.317","type":"text","text":"parents because of abuse,"},{"time":"12073.252","type":"text","text":"abandonment or neglect can apply"},{"time":"12074.719","type":"text","text":"for what's called special"},{"time":"12076.021","type":"text","text":"immigrant juvenile status which"},{"time":"12079.491","type":"text","text":"leads to a green card, permanent"},{"time":"12080.092","type":"text","text":"residency in the united states"},{"time":"12081.727","type":"text","text":"if it can be shown that it is"},{"time":"12083.595","type":"text","text":"not in their best interests to"},{"time":"12085.597","type":"text","text":"be return to their home country"},{"time":"12087.165","type":"text","text":"and also that they have -- they"},{"time":"12090.502","type":"text","text":"can't reunify with one or both"},{"time":"12092.271","type":"text","text":"parents on those grounds, and"},{"time":"12093.939","type":"text","text":"the federal law recognizes that"},{"time":"12097.442","type":"text","text":"it is not an immigration is"},{"time":"12099.411","type":"text","text":"judecation agency to make that"},{"time":"12101.346","type":"text","text":"determination, so they put that"},{"time":"12102.614","type":"text","text":"responsibility back into the"},{"time":"12104.416","type":"text","text":"state courts and in new york it"},{"time":"12106.418","type":"text","text":"ends up being family court."},{"time":"12109.755","type":"text","text":"So a child would have to go to"},{"time":"12112.991","type":"text","text":"court and initiate -- well, a"},{"time":"12114.593","type":"text","text":"child's guardian or custodian"},{"time":"12116.295","type":"text","text":"would have to go to court and"},{"time":"12118.063","type":"text","text":"initiate a guardianship or in"},{"time":"12119.297","type":"text","text":"some cases a custody proceeding"},{"time":"12121.567","type":"text","text":"to obtain guardianship on"},{"time":"12122.768","type":"text","text":"custody that of child, and in"},{"time":"12124.07","type":"text","text":"the course of those proceedings"},{"time":"12125.871","type":"text","text":"obtained what's called a special"},{"time":"12126.772","type":"text","text":"findings order which has"},{"time":"12127.907","type":"text","text":"specific language that is"},{"time":"12131.143","type":"text","text":"required by the federal law that"},{"time":"12133.512","type":"text","text":"addresses that ability to"},{"time":"12134.379","type":"text","text":"reunite with parents and also"},{"time":"12136.849","type":"text","text":"what is in the best interests of"},{"time":"12138.284","type":"text","text":"the child in terms of going back"},{"time":"12139.118","type":"text","text":"to their country."},{"time":"12140.786","type":"text","text":"That's all done in the context"},{"time":"12142.922","type":"text","text":"of a guardianship proceeding"},{"time":"12144.19","type":"text","text":"most commonly, sometimes a"},{"time":"12145.191","type":"text","text":"custody proceeding."},{"time":"12146.659","type":"text","text":"And those are complicated"},{"time":"12148.227","type":"text","text":"papers, right, to file,"},{"time":"12149.996","type":"text","text":"especially if you don't already"},{"time":"12153.366","type":"text","text":"speak english."},{"time":"12156.569","type":"text","text":"And more importantly, there's a"},{"time":"12158.871","type":"text","text":"lot of misconceptions around"},{"time":"12160.773","type":"text","text":"what that special findings order"},{"time":"12162.375","type":"text","text":"May entail from the judges who"},{"time":"12164.143","type":"text","text":"end up entering the order."},{"time":"12165.545","type":"text","text":"They don't answer understand the"},{"time":"12166.912","type":"text","text":"standard, and I think also they"},{"time":"12168.014","type":"text","text":"also very often believe that"},{"time":"12168.948","type":"text","text":"they are being put in the"},{"time":"12171.084","type":"text","text":"position of immigranting an"},{"time":"12172.952","type":"text","text":"immigration status, and there"},{"time":"12175.321","type":"text","text":"has been enormous work done on"},{"time":"12177.957","type":"text","text":"behalf of advocates to educate"},{"time":"12179.558","type":"text","text":"the bench as to the realities"},{"time":"12181.427","type":"text","text":"and why what they're doing is"},{"time":"12183.562","type":"text","text":"just issuing a document that is"},{"time":"12184.697","type":"text","text":"then brought to the federal"},{"time":"12185.832","type":"text","text":"immigration authorities to issue"},{"time":"12188.501","type":"text","text":"that immigration benefit."},{"time":"12189.836","type":"text","text":"And as policies have changed,"},{"time":"12191.804","type":"text","text":"and I know that we are in a"},{"time":"12194.307","type":"text","text":"moment right now where federal"},{"time":"12195.041","type":"text","text":"immigration policies, which are"},{"time":"12196.643","type":"text","text":"by and large always at the"},{"time":"12198.744","type":"text","text":"discretion of the President Or"},{"time":"12199.846","type":"text","text":"the executive, white house, that"},{"time":"12201.014","type":"text","text":"they have changed a lot, but"},{"time":"12203.916","type":"text","text":"they changed a lot before in 200"},{"time":"12205.318","type":"text","text":"than the 16 and they will change"},{"time":"12208.088","type":"text","text":"a lot after 2020 or 2024."},{"time":"12208.855","type":"text","text":"Every time they change and there"},{"time":"12212.858","type":"text","text":"is an increase politicization we"},{"time":"12214.393","type":"text","text":"have towing back and explain and"},{"time":"12215.895","type":"text","text":"reassure that we are not asking"},{"time":"12218.231","type":"text","text":"a state court to grant an"},{"time":"12219.732","type":"text","text":"immigration benefit."},{"time":"12222.969","type":"text","text":"And as the news and the media"},{"time":"12224.47","type":"text","text":"attention grows bigger, so does"},{"time":"12225.07","type":"text","text":"the concern."},{"time":"12226.539","type":"text","text":"So that would be one example."},{"time":"12227.94","type":"text","text":"I sort of answered two"},{"time":"12230.109","type":"text","text":"questions, and you only asked me"},{"time":"12230.276","type":"text","text":"one."},{"time":"12230.544","type":"text","text":"I'm sorry."},{"time":"12235.215","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"12236.449","type":"text","text":">> thank you."},{"time":"12238","type":"meta","text":"Agenda:101273","guid":"821b8f40-0c98-11ea-8baa-0050569183fa","title":"Closing"},{"time":"12239.218","type":"text","text":">> thank you very much."},{"time":"12240.12","type":"text","text":">> I think we're done."},{"time":"12241.321","type":"text","text":"Thank you all."},{"time":"12244.09","type":"text","text":">> thank you very much."}]]