2020-01-13 14:05:04 -0500
To: Members of the New York State Legislative Office
Put NYC Housing Court Judges under the jurisdiction of the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct
We want the NY State Legislature to place New York City Housing Court judges under the jurisdiction of the NY State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Currently, these judges are overseen by the Office of Court Administration, which lacks accountability and transparency.
Why is this important?
Housing Court judges hold immense power over the lives of New Yorkers, yet they are not subject to the same disciplinary standards as other New York state judges. Complaints are submitted to the Supervising Judge of the accused judge's relevant Housing Court, which is often like tossing a complaint into a black hole; there can be no feedback given whatsoever, which leads the public to assume that Housing Court judges are protected by their fellow judges, and there is no investigation done, let alone disciplinary action.
On the other hand, most New York State judges, when accused of ethical misconduct, are investigated by the Commission on Judicial Conduct, which releases annual reports that detailing its various determinations, and at least appears to strive for some kind of transparency.
According to the Commission's annual reports, legislation that would have given the Commission jurisdiction over NYC housing court judges was vetoed in the 1980s. With the newly-elected Democratic legislature having recently passed new rent laws that are fairer to New York's tenants, it is time to revisit this issue, and hold housing court judges accountable, to the same standard as other judges in New York State.
Housing Court Judges should be placed under the jurisdiction of the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct. When they are accused of unethical conduct, they can be investigated, prosecuted and sanctioned by an 11-member body composed of judges, lawyers, and non-lawyer citizens, who serve on a Commission expressly created to insure compliance with established standards of ethical judicial behavior.
On the other hand, most New York State judges, when accused of ethical misconduct, are investigated by the Commission on Judicial Conduct, which releases annual reports that detailing its various determinations, and at least appears to strive for some kind of transparency.
According to the Commission's annual reports, legislation that would have given the Commission jurisdiction over NYC housing court judges was vetoed in the 1980s. With the newly-elected Democratic legislature having recently passed new rent laws that are fairer to New York's tenants, it is time to revisit this issue, and hold housing court judges accountable, to the same standard as other judges in New York State.
Housing Court Judges should be placed under the jurisdiction of the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct. When they are accused of unethical conduct, they can be investigated, prosecuted and sanctioned by an 11-member body composed of judges, lawyers, and non-lawyer citizens, who serve on a Commission expressly created to insure compliance with established standards of ethical judicial behavior.