New York Senate Bill S07674

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/29/25
• Refer: 4/29/25

Caption

Authorizes the part-time judge of the city court of Lackawanna to reside anywhere in Erie county.

Impact

The enactment of S07674 would effectively broaden the criteria for selecting part-time judges in Lackawanna, which may lead to increased accessibility to judicial appointments. This change could be beneficial in ensuring that the judicial role is filled by well-qualified individuals who may not necessarily live within the city but have substantial legal knowledge and experience. By changing the residency requirement, the bill facilitates a more diverse array of candidates, which could enhance the overall functioning of the city court and improve judicial services for the community.

Summary

Bill S07674 proposes an amendment to the Uniform City Court Act, specifically addressing the residency requirements for the part-time judge of the city court of Lackawanna, New York. This bill allows the part-time judge to reside anywhere within Erie County, rather than being restricted to the city of Lackawanna. The legislation aims to provide greater flexibility in appointing eligible candidates for this judicial position, potentially ensuring that a wider pool of qualified attorneys can serve as judges based on their legal expertise rather than geographical constraints.

Contention

While proponents of S07674 argue that the change in residency requirements is a pragmatic solution to attract qualified legal professionals, there may be concerns from stakeholders about the potential dilution of local representation in judicial roles. Critics could argue that judges who are not residents of Lackawanna might be less attuned to the specific legal and social issues that the local community faces. This potential alienation from local concerns could lead to decisions that are less reflective of the community's values and needs.