After Chief State Justice Janet DiFiore suddenly announces her resignation this week, Governor Kathy Hochul is tasked with selecting a deputy.
But the governor did not want to go into detail on Wednesday what kind of judge he would consider for the position, or why DiFiore is resigning from six years to a 14-year term.
“I will find someone who is a thoughtful person,” said Hochul. “Someone who is well respected in the legal community. Again, this process is just beginning. I won’t be engaged until it’s much further. The Judicial Commission will seek applications ”.
What You Need To Know
Hochul could soon choose the next chief judge of New York after the current judge Janet DiFiore abruptly announced her resignation this week While some would like a judge with a different judicial philosophy than DiFiore, a former prosecutor, Hochul would not commit one way or another DiFiore is currently under investigation by the Judicial Commission on Conduct for allegedly interfering in a disciplinary case
In an announcement that seemed to come out of nowhere, DiFiore said on Monday she would resign from office at the end of next month, leaving Hochul with an important decision in an election year. To see also : President Biden Announces Key Appointments to Boards and Commissions.
The head judge oversees the state’s justice system and serves as the supreme judge in the Court of Appeal, the highest court of the state.
Some liberal critics believe the current court, full of ex-prosecutors like DiFiore, must go in a different direction.
“There have been a series of decisions that have tilted the playing field in New York more towards the already powerful ones,” said Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat and Senate deputy majority leader. “We are trying to recalibrate this, and we have a great opportunity to do so now that Janet DiFiore is retiring.”
After DiFiore announced her resignation, it has been revealed that she is being investigated by the state’s Judiciary Commission for alleged interference in a disciplinary hearing, although she denies that the investigation has anything to do with a decision to step down before her mid-term.
“I had the opportunity to talk to her. She let me know she would resign. And I thanked her for her service to New York State. It was a very demanding position. Especially during a pandemic, ”said Hochul.
Hochul says DiFiore called her about the decision. When asked if DiFiore left of her own free will, Hochul replies that she presided over the judicial system during a very difficult time with Covid. Shutting down the entire system was a huge challenge.
DiFiore had very close ties with ex-Gove. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace last August. When allegations of sexual harassment first surfaced last year, Cuomo applied for a DiFiore investigation. It was an idea that was rejected by the legislator. DiFiore, a former Republican, was appointed by Cuomo as chief judge in 2016.
“Andrew Cuomo’s influence on the state government should stop.” And so much so that her departure will help hasten the remnants of it, which is for the good of the state, ”said Gianaris.
The State Judge Nomination Commission – made up of nominees by the governor, legislative leaders, and the head judge herself – has 120 days from the announcement of a vacancy to draw up a list of seven potential candidates for head judge.
Thereafter, the governor has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30 days to select one of these candidates.
