Court and Justice System – Citizens Union

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

August 3, 2023 - On Monday, July 31, Citizens Union sent a letter to Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the U.S. Southern District of New York, who oversees the matter of Nunez v. The City of New York, in support of the appointment of a federal receiver over the New York City jail system.

Statement from Citizens Union on Proposal to Eliminate the Commission on Judicial Nomination

April 12, 2023 - “Eliminating the Commission on Judicial Nomination, which recommends candidates for the Court of Appeals to the Governor, would further politicize the judiciary and erode the public’s faith in our court system. The Commission is appointed by all three branches of government, and serves as an effective mechanism to ensure that the Governor’s nominees are made on merit. The Commission also is essential to keeping our judicial branch independent and inoculated from political horse trading between the legislative and executive branches. The public must have confidence that our judicial system is run by, and composed of, judges who can exercise independence and focus on the fair and impartial administration of justice.”

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

March 30, 2023 - Citizens Union, the League of Women Voters of New York State, and the Committee for Modern Courts, released the following statement calling on the Assembly to reject Governor Hochul’s proposed “program bill” (A5983/S06061) which passed the Senate this morning and will change the selection process for appointing judges to the New York State Court of Appeals:

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

March 30, 2023 - Citizens Union, the League of Women Voters of New York State, and the Committee for Modern Courts, released the following statement calling on the Assembly to reject Governor Hochul’s proposed “program bill” (A5983/S06061) which passed the Senate this morning and will change the selection process for appointing judges to the New York State Court of Appeals:

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

January 30, 2023 - Citizens Union has issued to following statement from Board Chair Randy Mastro in response to the recent nomination process of a Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals

Statement of Randy Mastro, Chair of Citizens Union

February 19, 2020 - A cornerstone of our republic has always been a justice system committed to fairness, honesty and integrity. The rule of law is only as strong as the dedicated men and women who enforce it on our behalf in the U.S. Justice Department. But now, their work is under political attack by a President who thinks it appropriate to call for the prosecution of his political enemies and the protection of his political allies. If we are to keep our republic, this latest affront to our democracy cannot go unchecked and unchallenged.

Statement on the Mayor’s Judicial Appointments by Citizens Union, the Fund for Modern Courts and the New York City Bar Association

December 17, 2013 - Three Civic Groups urge Mayor-Elect de Blasio to continue merit selection process for city judges begun by Mayor Koch.

Citizens Union Opposes Proposal To Raise Retirement Age For Certain State Judges

October 22, 2013 - Good Government Group believes constitutional amendment is misplaced reform.

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

December 15, 2006 - Over the past several months we have engaged in a reevaluation of our position in light of the decision handed down by Judge John Gleeson and the subsequent affirmation by the Second Circuit Court that the current judicial nominating convention process is unconstitutional.