For the last time in his 12-year administration, Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday swore in seven judges to fill vacancies on the city’s Family, Criminal and Civil Courts.
The judges were nominated through a merit-based selection process designed to ensure fairness and discourage political favoritism. Unlike most other mayoral powers, appointment of judges has potential to influence the city long after the mayor leaves office. Family and Criminal Court judges, for example, are appointed to 10-year terms. Civil Court judges are typically elected, but the mayor may appoint interim judges to fill vacancies as they arise.
