Legislation passed to increase Supreme Court, Family Court judges in NY

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn speaks during the New York State Democratic Convention in New York, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn speaks during the New York State Democratic Convention in New York, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022.
Associated Press/Seth Wenig/File

New York State Assembly Speaker, Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair, Charles D. Lavine recently announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to increase the number of Supreme Court judges and Family Court judges (A.10505, Lavine).

This legislation would increase the number of New York State Supreme Court justices statewide.

It would also increase the number of family court judges in New York City, Saratoga County and Nassau County.

“This expanded number of judges will help meet the needs of New York State’s judicial system and New Yorkers with business before the court,” said Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants.

Bichotte-Hermelyn, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, said the positions will be filled in the Nov. 8, 2022 election and for a term to begin on Jan. 1, 2023.

“Justice delayed is justice denied, and expanding the number of judges on the Supreme Court and Family Court will clear backlogs for New Yorkers who depend on those courts,” she said. “This is especially critical in Family Court, which has to consider some of the most difficult issues for some of the most vulnerable litigants seeking that justice.

I salute Speaker Heastie, Judiciary Chair Lavine and my colleagues for acting to increase the judges on these critical courts,” she added, congratulating

Justice Lillian Wan on her appointment to the New York State 2nd Department, Appellate Division; Judge Joanne D. Quinones to the Court of Claims; and Matt D’Emic as an interim justice of the Supreme Court.