New City Court seat to be filled in November

Candidates to fill a newly created Rochester City Court judgeship can run for the seat later this year and the winner would take office next January.

Rochester is one of several New York cities — Buffalo and Syracuse are among them — that will see a new full-time position after legislation was signed recently by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The news is exciting, because a new judge will enable all of the City Court judges to better serve the Rochester community, said City Court Judge Teresa D. Johnson, who is supervising judge.

There always has been a need for an added position, but the push intensified in the last few years, Judge Johnson said.

The recommendation to add these extra positions comes from an independent committee that studied city court operations and case volume around the state.

Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle, D-Irondequoit, who sponsored the legislation, said city courts are playing an increasing role in domestic violence and family violence cases in addition to handling nearly all of the preliminary felony proceedings outside New York City.

“Over time the role of city courts has greatly expanded in its scope,” Morelle said in a statement. “Their importance in moving serious felony cases forward and dealing with issues that impact the quality of life for city residents can’t be overstated.”

Civil and criminal caseloads have increased steadily in the 23 years Judge Johnson has served on the bench, but so has the time devoted to certain cases, she said. Driving-while-intoxicated cases involving use of interlock devices is one example. Small claims cases and civil litigation cases also have become more time consuming.

“It’s sometimes the complexity of the laws we are applying,” Judge Johnson said. “Sometimes the numbers don’t tell you everything.”

Also, the court sees a number of pro se litigants, which requires more time of judges.

“If we have more time it’s better for everybody because they’re not familiar with the system,” Judge Johnson said.

City Court has nine full-time judges.

Last November, City Court Judge Caroline Morrison was elected to a 10-year term after she ran unopposed for one open seat. The spot opened after City Court Judge John R. Schwartz retired after 20 years of service.

Dave Seeley, a spokesman for Morelle, said the seat will be filled in the general election. Candidates for the judgeship will go through the normal process in seeking party endorsements for the seat.

“We assume multiple people will be interested,” Seeley said.

Judge Johnson said there is always interest in the position.

“It’s a great job,” Judge Johnson said.