Chief Administrative Judge Zayas Announces Criminal Case Management Innovations

“For far too long, unnecessary delays have prolonged the time people spend on Rikers Island, often under traumatic and dehumanizing conditions. These new case management innovations will not only expedite the legal process for individuals caught in lengthy pretrial detention, but bring closure to victims and witnesses,” said Stanley Richards, President and CEO of The Fortune Society. “We applaud Chief Administrative Judge Zayas, First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge St. George, and the Center for Justice Innovation for prioritizing fairness, efficiency, and justice in addressing criminal case delays. These measures will reduce the number of people held at Rikers Island, moving us closer to the goal of closing the jail altogether and putting us on track to transition to safer, more humane borough-based facilities. By implementing these practical, common-sense reforms—particularly the focus on early disclosure of evidence and pretrial hearings—the courts are taking significant steps to ensure that justice is swift, fair, and balanced.”

Read the full news release from the New York Courts.