What's happening
This bill creates a second county court judgeship in Chenango County, with the new judge also serving as family court judge and surrogate.
Why it matters
Increasing judicial capacity. By adding a second judgeship, the county court system in Chenango will have more resources to handle criminal, civil, family, and probate (surrogate) cases, which can help reduce backlogs and speed up case resolution for residents.
Dual/triple role of judges. Each judge will serve not only as a county court judge but will also be responsible for family court and surrogate court matters, meaning this role directly affects a wide range of legal issues—from criminal justice to custody disputes to wills and estates.
Potential for greater specialization and access. With two judges covering all these court functions, there may be more opportunities to schedule hearings, potentially giving families and individuals quicker access to justice in times of crisis or need.
Impact on local elections and representation. The new position will be filled by election, giving Chenango County residents an additional opportunity to shape their local judiciary and potentially influence the philosophy and priorities of the courts serving their community.
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Add Second Chenango Judge
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to judiciary
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1390
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Add Second Chenango Judge
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Clifford Crouch
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1248
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AKSHAR -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the judiciary law, in relation to establishing a second county court judgeship in the county of Chenango
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 8 of section 182 of the judiciary law, as added by chapter 699 of the laws of 1969, is amended to read as follows:
8. Chenango, [one] two;
§ 2. A new office of judge of the county court of the county of Chenango is hereby established. Each county court judge in the county of Chenango, in office or hereafter elected, shall also act as and discharge the duties of county court judge, judge of the family court and surrogate of such county.
§ 3. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018; provided, however, that the additional office of county court judge created pursuant to this act shall first be filled at the general election to be held on November 7, 2017.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04260-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the judiciary law, in relation to establishing a second county court judgeship in the county of Chenango
Purpose
Establishes a second office of judge of the county court in the county of Chenango.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 8 of section 182 of the judiciary law, as added by chapter 699 of the laws of 1969, is amended to read as follows:
8. Chenango, one two;
§2. A new office of judge of the county court of the county of Chenango is hereby established.
§ 3. See effective date.
Justification
Currently, a single judge presides over all Family, County (criminal and civil), and Surrogate Courts for Chenango County. The caseload for this Multi-Bench judge is tremendous. Rural areas are no longer immune to the ravage of crime. The county has observed increases in burglary, DWI offenses, drug use, domestic violence, and abuse, which have created a large caseload that warrants the appointment of a second judge. The caseload has made it increasingly difficult for the single Multi-Bench judge to continue to process such a number of cases in a timely and fair manner.
For the past several years, the Multi-Bench judge of Chenango County has had more than double the typical caseload. The Family Court has seen a tremendous increase in filings within the past decade. The 4,746 cases seen by the judge in 2006 were much higher than most caseloads seen by judges who only handle Family Court. This has hurt the timeliness of justice as it has forced the lead-time in Family Court to grow from six weeks to eight to twelve weeks.
Additionally, the Multi-Bench judge of Chenango County has the highest number of criminal cases in the small county category of New York. Chenango County's need for this additional judgeship is crucial for the justice system of the county. The need became so great that the Cortland County's Multi-Bench judges came to the aid of Chenango County back in 2006.
Legislative history
2016 - S7362:Passed Senate. 2016 - A1772A: Referred to Judiciary.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1, 2018; provided, however, that the additional office of county court judge created pursuant to this act shall first be filled at the general election to be held on November 7, 2017.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.