Bill to grow New York’s courts unlikely to pass in Albany

Bill to grow New York’s courts unlikely to pass in Albany

A popular bill that would remove the population limit on new judicial seats appears unlikely to make it through the state legislature this year, but lawmakers say their plan to make a drastic change to the state’s constitution is very much alive.

Read More

City cannot shut Rikers by 2027, landmark report finds

City cannot shut Rikers by 2027, landmark report finds

In a stark admission on Wednesday, the commission formed to map out the closure of Rikers Island said that the current 2027 deadline to shutter the deadly jail complex has become impossible for the city to meet.

Read More

Courts to speed up cases in effort to shrink Rikers’ population

Courts to speed up cases in effort to shrink Rikers’ population

With the city’s legally-mandated deadline to close Rikers Island now less than three years away, top court officials this week said that they plan to make a number of reforms in the city’s criminal courts in an effort to lower the jail’s population, which, as of now, is nearly twice as large as what can be held in Rikers’ replacements.

Read More

Eight graduate from Queens’ treatment court

Eight graduate from Queens’ treatment court

Last week, eight Queens residents graduated from the borough’s treatment courts. The courts are designed to divert people away from traditional criminal prosecution and toward services that could help them turn their life around. They may soon be expanding.

Read More

Courts launch new court reporter position as staffing numbers remain low

Courts launch new court reporter position as staffing numbers remain low

In order to make up for low court reporter staffing numbers in courthouses across New York State, the Office of Court Administration launched a new court reporter trainee position this week, which is celebrated as National Court Reporters Week.

Read More