New York
New York’s highest court is the Court of Appeals of New York. The court has six associate judges and one chief judge. The chief judge is appointed according to the same procedures as the associate judges. (Source: New York Constitution)
Judicial Selection
The governor nominates a Court of Appeals judge from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. The governor’s nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. An appointed judge serves a 14-year term. Judges may stand for reappointment to additional 14-year terms in the same appointment process. To fill an interim vacancy, the governor nominates a candidate from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. There are no term limits. The mandatory retirement age is 70.
State Constitution
New York has had four state constitutions adopted between 1777 and 1894. As of January 1, 2022, it had 231 amendments. (Source: Council of State Governments)
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Lack of Transparency in New York Courts Undermines Democracy
Only a tiny fraction of New York criminal court decisions are publicly accessible, hampering New Yorkers' ability to hold their judges accountable.
Fifty Unique, Ever-Changing State Constitutions
A new resource from the State Democracy Research Initiative makes the current text of all 50 state constitutions available and searchable on one site.
Why State Constitutions Matter on Election Day
Two new explainers examine voting rights under state constitutions and how state courts oversee ballot initiatives.
Interview: The Movement Toward ‘Green Amendments’ in State Constitutions
The founder of Green Amendments For The Generations, Maya van Rossum, discusses the impact of enshrining environmental rights in state constitutions.
The Contentious History Behind New York City’s Right to Shelter
New York State’s high court has yet to define the scope of the right to shelter, which comes from a Depression-era amendment to the state constitution.
Voting Rights Under State Constitutions, Explained
All but one state constitution affirmatively establishes a right to vote.
State Courts Have Their Own Shadow Dockets
Expedited judicial rulings may not always be problematic in the state context.
The Federalization Dimension in Takings
The U.S. Supreme Court does not always lead and state courts do not always follow.