Citizens Union supports judicial reform, both in the selection of judges and the operation and structure of New York State’s court system.  For decades, Citizens Union has advocated for a constitutional change that would create a merit-based system of appointment for Supreme Court justices akin to that used for the New York Court of Appeals.  Until such a time as a constitutional amendment is passed, Citizens Union believes the state should reform the convention nomination system.  Citizens Union has also supported a pay increase for justices and the creation of a Compensation Commission.

• June 5, 2009 —   Testimony to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on the Judicial Nominations Process
• March 13, 2009 — Memo of Opposition on Judicial Nominations Bill, A.3866-A
• January 27, 2009 —  Letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Judicial Nomination Commission
• March 24, 2008 — @@@ Letter to Governor Paterson on Judicial Salary Increases (also sent to Assembly Speaker Silver and Senate Majority Leader Bruno)
• December 6, 2006 — Statement of Position on Judicial Selection Reform
• December 15, 2006 — Testimony to New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee on the Selection of NYS Supreme Court Justices
• 2005 — Amicus Brief in support of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund re: Creation of the second Surrogate Court seat in Kings County  (Brooklyn)