Judicial Selection Methods in the State of New York: A Guide to Understanding and Getting Involved in the Selection Process

SUMMARY

The Council on Judicial Administration has issued a Guide to understanding and getting involved in the judicial selection process in New York. The Guide is designed to explain how the over 1,200 state court judges and over 150 federal court judges in New York State are selected, and encourage lawyers and members of the public to involve themselves in the selection processes. As the Guide explains, there are many opportunities to participate in the processes, including voicing an opinion to the appointing authority, e.g., the mayor or governor; running for election as a delegate to a judicial convention; or becoming a member of a screening panel. Diverse participation, the Guide notes, is good for the process of selecting judges and greater participation generally brings transparency to the process and promotes public confidence in our courts.