Media Coverage
Source: Newsday
Media Coverage
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Olivia Thomas
05.23.23
While being honored by the Fund for Modern Courts at its recent Cyrus R. Vance Tribute Breakfast, the Honorable Rolando T. Acosta presented a noteworthy speech entitled “A House Again Divided: Our Democracy and Courts in Peril.” In his remarks, Justice Acosta denounced what he deemed continuing threats to judicial independence in the New York Senate and, more specifically, a constitutional provision proposal that would upend the Commission on Judicial Nomination.
Acosta stated that the state of New York needs “judges who are willing to stand up for the rule of law, who are not mere political ideologues but are individuals with integrity, who know they are constrained by constitutional provisions, stare decisis, and legislative policy choices reflected in statutes.”
“I cannot countenance [the Senate’s] tactics, attempting to change a constitutionally prescribed procedure to solidify power,” Acosta said. “…it is wrong for our leaders now to disregard the constitutionally prescribed merit selection process that was enacted by the people in 1977…distorting the process is not something I can support.”