Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas and First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George announced new measures on Oct. 10 that will try to reduce delays in New York City’s criminal courts.
The reforms are designed to expedite the handling of felony cases, with the goal of enhancing both fairness and public safety, according to a press release.
The reforms will launch in Brooklyn this fall under Kings County Supreme Court-Criminal Term Administrative Judge Matthew D’Emic, with plans to implement the changes citywide by early next year.
The key innovation in these measures is more efficient oversight of the discovery process, which involves the exchange of evidence between the defense and prosecution. This initiative is part of a broader effort to manage criminal case backlogs, ensuring that the city’s jail population remains within the capacity of new facilities following the closure of Rikers Island, the press release said.
Developed in collaboration with the Center for Justice Innovation (CJI), the initiative also aims to identify and resolve obstacles that can slow down cases, ensuring they are trial-ready.
“We need to process cases more efficiently, especially as we approach the closure of Rikers Island,” Judge Zayas said. “The court system must adapt to prevent overcrowding in the city’s new borough-based facilities.”
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez noted that the introduction of new discovery laws in 2020 has delayed litigation timelines in Brooklyn, despite efforts to move cases forward.
“In Brooklyn, we have worked diligently to move cases forward, but the implementation of new discovery laws has, unfortunately, had the opposite effect, slowing down case processing,” Gonzalez said. “Our prosecutors have been working hard to tackle these longstanding challenges, ensuring justice is served for victims and the accused without unnecessary delays.”
The new strategies include scheduling orders to prioritize early evidence disclosure and setting firm deadlines for discovery compliance. Pretrial suppression hearings will also be held earlier in the process, allowing both sides to assess the strengths of their cases. A team of court attorneys will help resolve late-stage issues, the press release said.
