Press Releases
Statewide Coalition Applauds the Governor for Signing the Judiciary Budget Adding 20 More Family Court JudgesReleased April 11, 2014New York State Coalition for More Family Court Judges For Immediate Release: April 11, 2014 Contacts: Stephanie Gendell, sgendell@cccnewyork.org, (646) 232-6721 Dennis Hawkins, Hawkins@moderncourts.org, (917) 399-4675 Statewide Coalition Applauds the Governor for Signing the Judiciary Budget Adding 20 More Family Court Judges Coalition Eager to Work with Legislators and the Governor to Pass Necessary Legislation to Distribute the Judges The New York State Coalition for More Family Court Judges is grateful to Governor Cuomo, as well as the New York State Senate and Assembly, for adopting a Judiciary budget that fully funds our court system and includes funding for 20 more family court judges. “The approval of the budget by the Governor and the Legislature demonstrates that our elected officials know that a fully funded Judiciary with new Family Court Judges is needed to take on the serious challenge of addressing the current backlog that has led to long delays for families, victims of violence and children, and has effectively closed the doors to justice for those who need the courts the most.” Stephanie Gendell, Associate Executive Director at Citizens’ Committee for Children Co-Chair, New York State Coalition for More Family Court Judges. “The Coalition is grateful for the Governor’s final approval of the funding for the Family Court Judges and his support for those who seek justice in our state’s Family Court to keep their families safe. “ Denise Kronstadt, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Advocacy, at the Fund for Modern Courts, Co-Chair, New York State Coalition for More Family Court Judges. “Without new family court judges, children, victims of domestic violence and parents will continue to suffer unconscionable delays in resolving matters of child protection, family safety and economic security,” added Denise Kronstadt. “Now that the budget is fully approved, the Coalition of 90 organizations from throughout New York State looks forward to working with the Legislature and the Governor to expeditiously pass the legislation necessary to add the 20 more Family Court Judges statewide,” added Stephanie Gendell. ……………. About the New York State Coalition for More Family Court Judges: The New York State Coalition for More Family Court Judges is a coalition of 90 organizations from all across New York State that has come together to ensure that New York State provides for more resources for Family Courts, including at least 20 more Family Court Judges statewide to provide justice for families. Family Court is desperately short of judicial resources. While the Family Court has made extraordinary efforts to address the overwhelming needs of the children and families before it, the shortage leads to unconscionable delays; the instability, trauma and uncertainty of delays cause irreparable damage to New York’s children and grave risk to victims of domestic violence. These delays cost taxpayers money. New York’s most vulnerable children and families depend on the Family Court system to address some of the most important decisions of their lives. Current limited resources create a backlog that has led to long delays for families, victims of violence and children, effectively closing the doors to justice for those who need it the most. The Coalition advocates for the approval of the Judiciary’s budget request of $5 million in SFY 14-15 for 20 more Family Court Judges and will now be advocating for the necessary amendments to the Family Court Act to add the new Judgeships throughout the state. These additional Family Court Judges will help provide more timely access to justice for New York’s children and families. Facebook: New York State Coalition for More Family Court Judges Web site: http://moderncourts.org/advocacy/family-court-reform/ |
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