Skip to content
Council Discourse

NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.

Created by Uzair Qadir

Inspired by Vikram Oberoi's City Meetings

Agency Testimony

Judge Zayas on importance of efficient criminal case processing

New York City Council · Jun 25, 2026 · starts 0:05:57 · 1 min 6 sec

Judge Zayas opens by emphasizing his deep commitment to efficient case management, drawing on his experience as a trial and administrative judge, and explains why serious criminal cases cannot routinely languish in courts.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

May I begin?

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

All right, good morning, Chair Brooks-Powers.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

Thank you and the other members of this committee for organizing today's hearing on a truly important subject, the processing of criminal cases in New York City.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

As you said in your opening remarks, which I really appreciated, the efficient management of criminal cases is something that I care deeply, deeply about, having served for many years as a trial judge and an administrative judge.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

Now, as the chief administrative judge of overseeing the operations of all of New York State's

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

trial courts, one of my highest priorities is the implementation of policies and procedures that help minimize the delays that often impede the swift resolution of criminal cases.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

Let me start by explaining why this issue is so important.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

For our criminal justice system to be effective and credible, serious criminal cases cannot routinely languish in the courts.