New York's judicial system faces severe challenges due to outdated constitutional limits on the number of Supreme Court justices, established in 1846. This cap, which allows for one justice per 50,000 residents, has contributed to lengthy case backlogs, with many individuals waiting years for court resolutions. This lack of judicial capacity affects both criminal and civil cases, compromising public safety, fairness, and efficiency in the legal system. Advocates argue for a constitutional amendment to increase judicial flexibility, allowing the state to appoint justices where needed to restore timely justice for all.
For too many New Yorkers, this isn't a hypothetical—it's reality. And it's putting public safety, fairness, and efficiency at risk.
This simple but critical reform would give the state the flexibility to add judges where they're needed, cutting down case backlogs and ensuring that justice is delivered swiftly and fairly.
We're stuck with a rigid cap on the number of Supreme Court justices—one for every 50,000 people in a judicial district.
The result? Long waits, delayed trials, and a backlog so severe that many cases take years to resolve.
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