Morelle Bill Expanding Rochester City Court Passes Assembly

June 21, 2013

A bill sponsored by state Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle, D-Irondequoit, expanding the number of judges serving on city court benches outside New York City, including Rochester’s, has passed the Assembly. (A. 6552B)

Morelle said the goal locally is to add one new judge to Rochester City Court, bringing the total to 10.

“Over time the role of city courts has greatly expanded in its scope,” Morelle said. “Their importance in moving serious felony cases forward and dealing with issues that impact the quality of life for city residents can’t be overstated.”

“One of the responsibilities of the Legislature is to periodically review the conditions of these courts and provide the support they need to do their job, and we can best do that by increasing the number of full-time judges able to serve at this critical level of the criminal justice system.”

“We would like to commend Majority Leader Morelle for sponsoring legislation to increase the number of City Court judges in certain communities across the State, including adding a judge to Rochester City Court,” said Rochester City Court Supervising Judge Teresa D. Johnson. “More than 10 years have passed since a new judgeship has been added to Rochester City Court. The numbers and complexity of the cases coming before the Court, both civil and criminal, have increased dramatically. The new judgeship will allow us to better serve the Rochester community.”

Morelle’s bill follows recommendations of an advisory committee that has convened on a regular basis since the state assumed responsibility for local court funding more than three decades ago.

Rochester City Court was last expanded in 2001.

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