Report in Support of the State Judiciary’s 2017-18 Budget Request

SUMMARY

The New York City Bar Association, through the Council on Judicial Administration issued a report urging New York State’s Legislature to accept the Judiciary’s 2017-2018 Budget Request in its entirety.  This year’s proposed budget is $2.18 billion, an increase of $42.7 million, 2.0% over last year’s budget. Funds would be used to increase court clerk, officer, interpreter and reporter staffs by 200 employees, increase Small Claims Court hours, decrease the lag between filing and first court appearance, improve ADR services, increase support for Special Advocates for at-risk children and provide for capital improvements – primarily new computer software for the courts’ data management and computer network systems, which will enable the Judiciary to improve services with fewer staff positions. The Judiciary Budget Request also includes funds for civil legal services to help ensure equal access to justice for low-income New Yorkers facing housing, consumer debt and other legal problems pertaining to the essentials of life.