NY Panel Hastens Search for Top Judge as Advocates Weigh In (Correct)

The commission picking candidates for New York’s next top judge is facing pressure to diversify the court by finding a non-prosecutor, but there’s a tight timeline to do so.

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore’s Aug. 31 resignation has triggered calls by progressive and advocacy groups to consider civil rights attorneys, public defenders, and other non-prosecutors to head the Court of Appeals and lead the state’s court system.

The 12-member independent Commission on Judicial Nomination appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and the chief judge has until Nov. 25 under an accelerated selection process to send their seven nominees to Gov. Kathy ...