ARE LATINOS THE INVISIBLE COMMUNITY IN NEW YORK STATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM?

Monserrate Statement on Judicial Nominations
Lack of Diversity in Candidates is Deeply Troubling

It is outrageous that the Commission on Judicial Nominations has assembled a list of seven candidates for the Chief Judgeship that does not reflect the diversity of New York State. Most distributing is the fact that three candidates put forward by the Commission have no prior judicial experience. I am appalled that the Commission did not properly consider the countless number of qualified women and Latinos serving as judges throughout our State. The Commission has failed in its duty "to recognize the character, temperament, professional aptitude, experience, qualifications and fitness for office, to discharge the duties of chief judge".

Now more than ever, I urge Governor Paterson to work to nominate a judiciary that reflects the population of our State. It is deeply troubling that Latinos, the largest and fastest-growing population in our State, are underrepresented at all levels of government in New York State.