Honest and Accountable Government

Court Reform

Citizens Union believes our justice system works best when it is free from political influence. To strengthen public trust and uphold judicial legitimacy, any changes to the courts must be made transparently through open legislative debate, with preventing politicization as a top priority.

Our Reform Agenda

Highlights:

Statement May 14, 2025

Citizens Union Applauds Federal Decision to Appoint Independent Leadership at Rikers

Statement January 30, 2023

Statement from Citizens Union on the Nomination Process of the Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals

Statement March 30, 2023

Good Government Groups Call on Governor and Legislature to Abandon Flawed, Last Minute Proposal Changing Method for Appointing Judges to the NYS Court of Appeals

1977

Election of judges to the New York's highest court replaced with a merit selection system, a long-time CU goal

Recent Action on Court Reform

Statements

January 1, 1970

Document Test 2: for sub highlight on homepage

May 14, 2025

Citizens Union Applauds Federal Decision to Appoint Independent Leadership at Rikers

September 11, 2023

Citizens Union Responds to Court Ruling Declaring the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government Unconstitutional

March 30, 2023

Good Government Groups Call on Governor and Legislature to Abandon Flawed, Last Minute Proposal Changing Method for Appointing Judges to the NYS Court of Appeals

Letters

August 3, 2023

Citizens Union Asks Judge to Appoint a Federal Receiver Over the New York City Jail System

December 15, 2006

Testimony to the Assembly Judiciary Committee on the Selection of NYS Supreme Court Justices

Visit Citizens Union's Library for insights on Court Reform.