there are a surplus of people in the legal profession nowadays. I doubt very much many judges will leave their cushy jobs. When they are already making 4 times the state average income, how much are we willing to tax our citizens to keep up the bureaucracy.

Don't forget lower import taxes. Used to be high tax to import things and everything was made in America. Now, we export everything and no one wants to trade with the USA because of this problem.

Courts are a central part of government but they can't overtake the other two branches of government.

I don't know why the judges waited 10 years to file suit. Couldn't they have done this sooner?

#12:

It is not a matter or higher or lower taxes, it is a matter of paying for what we need.

Paying for courts is necessary. Who should pay for it? Lets look into corporations paying a higher tax rate like they used to--they use the courts more than anyone else! (e.g., enforcement of contracts)

Don't become a judge if you don't want to be one. But, if you are one, then you deserve $150K starting pay.

Mets fan!

Hey instead of giving the Yankees another 400 million of tax payer money why don't we give it to the judges or schools.

and I'm a Yankee fan

#12
HJS,

Yes, in this I am for higher taxes. I want a working legal system and happy judges.

Unhappy workers that are underpaid don't perform well.

That explains it.

so is everyone for higher taxes!

Katie, I thought I heard Brian say that the highest court in NY was the Court of Appeals which is like the US Supreme Court.

ARE JUDGES APPOINTED OR ELECTED? It depends on the court

ELECTED: Supreme Court, Civil Court, Family Court (outside NYC)

APPOINTED: Family Court (in NYC), Criminal Court, Housing Court, Court of Claims

Talk about judicial activism !!!! The separation of powers holds that the legislature controls the purse strings!!!

But hey who needs constitutional principles in this day and age -- let's just make it up as we go.

state supreme court judges are elected

They do deserve raises they haven't had so much as cost of liviing adjustment in 10 years

most people would leave a job if they didn't get a raise in a year

these judges are providing a service to the community

they're not asking for a lot any way

if you don't raise the pay you'll lose the best judges

Brian,

Highest court in NY State is Court of Appeals NOT Supreme Court.

In NY judges are elected, at least I always see them listed on the ballots.

they really dont deserve any pay raises. this comes out of the taxpayers pocket, not out of the air. in this economy people are lucky to keep their jobs let alone think about raises, and yet the state and city keep upping the taxes on its already stressed residents. what they need are across the board job cuts and salary reductions in state gov't.

If they really haven't received a pay raise in 10 years then they deserve a raise as it would be for anyone who hasn't had a pay raise in several years.

Mike,

How does someone become a judge? Elected or appointed by the mayor?

My father is a state supreme court judge in mineola and he works really hard and deserves a pay raise.

they haven't had a raise in a decade!

I think judges get paid really low. They only start out at $125K and they have so much experience! Their law clerks have it even worse making no more than $120K while partners in law firms with 5 years experience are making $3million.

This needs to be adjusted based on NYC and pay these invaluable people for their knowledge, skill and role in maintaining justice in our society.

If a prosecutor seeks justice, a judge has to enforce it and they have to be sure justice is being sought properly.

Let's give credit and compensation where it is due!!!