COURT OF APPEALS COURT OF APPEALS DEVELOPMENTSDEVELOPMENTSThe Pataki CourtThe Pataki Court
Vincent Martin Bonventre, J.D., Ph.D.Vincent Martin Bonventre, J.D., Ph.D.Legislative CLE, December 14, 2006Legislative CLE, December 14, 2006
The Current CourtThe Current Court (updated (updated Sept. 2006)Sept. 2006)
Court of Appeals, 2006 Criminal Law Voting (Recent 5 Years)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
Fall '01 - Spring '06 [5yrs] 76 51 50 37 35 14 13 10
GB Smith ( - '06)
Ciparick Kaye Rosenblatt ('99 - )
RS Smith ('04 - )
Read ('03 - )
Graffeo ('01 - )
Wesley ('97 - '03)
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting Current Trends (Recent 5 Years)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
Fall '01 - Spring '03 [2yrs] 67 48 43 24 0 10 10 19
Fall '03 - Spring '06 [3yrs] 81 53 53 43 35 15 15 38
GB Smith ( - '06)
Ciparick Kaye Rosenblatt ('99 - )
RS Smith ('04 - )
Read ('03 - )
Graffeo ('01 - )
Wesley ('97 - '03)
COURT
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law VotingRecent Trends (From 2000)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
2000 & 2001 57 29 36 36 0 7 21
Fall '01 - Spring '03 [2yrs] 67 48 43 24 0 10 10 19
Fall '03 - Spring '06 [3yrs] 81 53 53 43 35 15 15 38
GB Smith ( - '06)
Ciparick Kaye Rosenblatt ('99 - )
RS Smith ('04 - )
Read ('03 - )
Graffeo ('01 - )
Wesley ('97 - '03)
COURT
Judith S. KayeJudith S. Kaye Appointed 1983, Appointed 1983,
CuomoCuomo(replaced JF [elect]) (replaced JF [elect])
First woman on CourtFirst woman on Court From NYC (born in From NYC (born in
Monticello)Monticello) Appointed Chief Appointed Chief
Judge 1993, Cuomo Judge 1993, Cuomo (replaced SW (replaced SW [Cuomo])[Cuomo])
Current term expires Current term expires March 2007March 2007
Mandatory age Mandatory age retirement 2008retirement 2008
George Bundy Smith George Bundy Smith (retired 2006) (retired 2006)
Appointed 1992, Appointed 1992, CuomoCuomo(replaced FA [Cuomo])(replaced FA [Cuomo])
From NYC (born New From NYC (born New Orleans)Orleans)
Term expired Sept. Term expired Sept. 20062006
Denied reappointment Denied reappointment by Patakiby Pataki
(mandatory age (mandatory age retirement would have retirement would have been 2007)been 2007)
Carmen Beauchamp Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick Ciparick
Appointed 1994, Appointed 1994, CuomoCuomo(replaced SFH (replaced SFH [Cuomo])[Cuomo])
First Hispanic on First Hispanic on CourtCourt
From NYCFrom NYC Current term expires Current term expires
Jan. 2008Jan. 2008 Mandatory age Mandatory age
retirement 2012retirement 2012
Richard C. Wesley Richard C. Wesley (resigned 2003)(resigned 2003)
Appointed 1997, PatakiAppointed 1997, Pataki(replaced RDS (replaced RDS [Cuomo])[Cuomo])
From LivoniaFrom Livonia[Rochester area][Rochester area](born Canandaigua, (born Canandaigua, New York)New York)
Resigned for 2d Circuit Resigned for 2d Circuit Appointment, 2003Appointment, 2003
Albert M. Rosenblatt Albert M. Rosenblatt Appointed 1998, Appointed 1998,
PatakiPataki(replaced VJT (replaced VJT [Cuomo])[Cuomo])
From Dutchess From Dutchess County (born NYC)County (born NYC)
Mandatory age Mandatory age retirement 2006retirement 2006
Victoria A. Graffeo Victoria A. Graffeo Appointed 2000, Appointed 2000,
PatakiPataki(replaced JWB (replaced JWB [Cuomo])[Cuomo])
From Guilderland From Guilderland (born Rockville (born Rockville Center)Center)
Term expires Nov. Term expires Nov. 20142014
Mandatory age Mandatory age retirement 2022retirement 2022
Susan P. ReadSusan P. Read Appointed 2003, Appointed 2003,
PatakiPataki(replaced HL (replaced HL [Cuomo])[Cuomo])
From Capital Region From Capital Region (born Gallipolis, Ohio)(born Gallipolis, Ohio)
Mandatory age Mandatory age retirement 2017retirement 2017
Term expires Jan. Term expires Jan. 20172017
Robert S. Smith Robert S. Smith Appointed 2003, Appointed 2003,
PatakiPataki(replaced RW (replaced RW [Pataki])[Pataki])
From NYCFrom NYC Mandatory age Mandatory age
retirement 2014retirement 2014
Hon. Eugene F. Pigott, Hon. Eugene F. Pigott, Jr. Jr.
Appointed 2006, Appointed 2006, PatakiPataki(replaced GBS (replaced GBS [Cuomo])[Cuomo])
From Grand Island From Grand Island [Buffalo Metro Area][Buffalo Metro Area](born Rochester, (born Rochester, NY)NY)
Mandatory age Mandatory age retirement 2016retirement 2016
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting Current "Pataki" Court (Recent 5 Years)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
Fall '01 - Spring '03 [2yrs] 67 48 43 24 19 10 10 0
Fall '03 - Spring '06 [3yrs] 81 53 53 43 38 35 15 15
GB Smith ( - '06)
Ciparick Kaye Rosenblatt ('99 - )
COURT RS Smith ('04 - )
Wesley ('97 - '03)
Graffeo ('01 - )
Read ('03 - )
The ProcessThe Process Background: Wachtler, Fuchsberg, Background: Wachtler, Fuchsberg,
Breitel, CareyBreitel, Carey Commission: composition, purpose Commission: composition, purpose
[evaluate, report, recommend][evaluate, report, recommend]
Applications: notice, solicitation, Applications: notice, solicitation, applicantsapplicants
Interviews: prelim evaluation, in-Interviews: prelim evaluation, in-person meeting person meeting
Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06
The Process The Process cont’dcont’d
Voting: ranking/no-ranking, 2/3 Voting: ranking/no-ranking, 2/3 support, re-voting & winnowing support, re-voting & winnowing
Findings & Recommendations: Findings & Recommendations: 3-7 candidates3-7 candidates““report” on “character, report” on “character, temperament, professional aptitude, temperament, professional aptitude, experience, qualifications and experience, qualifications and fitness”fitness”——otherwise entirely confidentialotherwise entirely confidential
Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06
The Process The Process cont’dcont’d
Gubernatorial Nomination: limited Gubernatorial Nomination: limited to list, agenda?to list, agenda?
Senatorial Advice & Consent: Senatorial Advice & Consent: committee hearing, full senate, committee hearing, full senate, “advice” or just consent?“advice” or just consent?
Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06
The Process The Process cont’dcont’d
Election vs “Nonpolitical Merit” Election vs “Nonpolitical Merit” Appointment: Appointment: Pros / ConsPros / Cons Final Product, ComparisonsFinal Product, Comparisons EssentialsEssentials
Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06
Court of AppealsCourt of AppealsMaking of the Pataki Making of the Pataki
CourtCourt
Voting and Decisional Patterns in Voting and Decisional Patterns in Criminal Cases:Criminal Cases:
From Cuomo thru PatakiFrom Cuomo thru Pataki
Vincent Martin Bonventre, J.D., Ph.D.Vincent Martin Bonventre, J.D., Ph.D.December 2006December 2006
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law VotingCuomo & Pataki Courts (Composite of Studies)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
1990 & 1991 91 48 17 4 26post W / early K (11/92-5/94) 81 52 63 63 24 13 481994 & 1995 81 45 65 60 15 25 45'96/'97 thru '97/'98 80 47 53 27 31 33 27 0'97/'98 thru '98/'99 100 69 46 31 50 8 31 151996 thru 1998 83 57 68 39 48 21 43 81999 thru 2001 61 29 39 41 28 35 172000 & 2001 57 29 36 36 21 36 7 02001 56 22 22 33 11 33 0 0'01/'02 thru '02/'03 (2yrs) 67 48 43 18 19 24 10 10 0'03/'04 thru '04/'05 (2yrs) 70 63 63 41 52 35 11 11'01/'02 thru '04/'05 (total 4yrs) 69 56 54 18 31 40 35 10 10 10Fall '05 - Spring '06 95 40 40 35 30 35 20 20Fall '04 - Spring '06 [2yrs] 85 48 52 39 42 36 18 18Fall '03 - Spring '06 [3yrs] 81 53 53 38 43 35 15 15Fall '01-Spring '06[5yrs] 76 51 50 32 37 35 13 14
Titone (- '98)
GB Smith (- '06) Ciparick Kaye Levine
('93 - '02)Wachtler
( -'92)Bellacosa
( - '00) COURT Rosenblatt ('99 - )
RS Smith ('04 - )
Wesley ('97 - '03)
Graffeo ('01 - )
Read ('03 - )
Late Wachtler – Early Late Wachtler – Early KayeKaye
All Cuomo CourtAll Cuomo Court Late Wachtler eraLate Wachtler era
Pro-prosecution recordPro-prosecution recordWachtler/Bellacosa v. Kaye/TitoneWachtler/Bellacosa v. Kaye/Titone
Post-Wachtler – Early KayePost-Wachtler – Early KayePro-defendant swingPro-defendant swingWachtler Court – Kaye Court Wachtler Court – Kaye Court transitiontransition
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law VotingLate Wachtler - Early Kaye (All Cuomo Court)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
1990 & 1991 91 48 26 17 4
post W / early K (11/92-5/94) 81 52 63 63 48 24 13
Titone (- '98)
GB Smith Ciparick Kaye COURT Levine ('93 - '02)
Wachtler ( -'92)
Bellacosa ( - '00)
Emerging Kaye CourtEmerging Kaye CourtAll Cuomo CourtAll Cuomo Court
RepriseRepriseLate WachtlerLate WachtlerEarly KayeEarly Kaye
Emerging Kaye CourtEmerging Kaye CourtPro-defendant swing persistsPro-defendant swing persistsKaye/Titone/G.B. Kaye/Titone/G.B.
Smith/Ciparick Smith/Ciparick “liberal” majority“liberal” majority
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law VotingEmerging Kaye Court (All Cuomo Court)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
1990 & 1991 91 48 26 17 4
post W / early K (11/92-5/94) 81 52 63 63 48 24 13
1994 & 1995 81 45 65 60 45 15 25
Titone (- '98)
GB Smith Ciparick Kaye COURTLevine
('93 - '02)Wachtler
( -'92)Bellacosa
( - '00)
Cuomo to Pataki Cuomo to Pataki TransitionTransition
RepriseReprisePost-Wachtler / Early KayePost-Wachtler / Early KayeEmerging Kaye CourtEmerging Kaye Court
Post Court-BashingPost Court-BashingPro-prosecution Pro-prosecution
“adjustment”“adjustment”Kaye/Ciparick voting shiftKaye/Ciparick voting shift
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law VotingCuomo - Pataki Transition
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
post W / early K (11/92-5/94) 81 52 63 63 48 24 13
1994 & 1995 81 45 65 60 45 15 25
Fall '96 thru Spring '98 80 47 53 27 27 31 33 0
Titone (- '98)
GB Smith Ciparick Kaye COURT Levine ('93 - '02)
Bellacosa ( - '00)
Wesley ('97 - '03)
Trending-Pataki CourtTrending-Pataki Court RepriseReprise
Emerging Kaye CourtEmerging Kaye CourtPost Court-bashingPost Court-bashing
Pataki’s Increasing ImpactPataki’s Increasing ImpactKaye/Ciparick shift persistsKaye/Ciparick shift persistsPataki’s appointees:Pataki’s appointees:
Simons to WesleySimons to WesleyTitone to RosenblattTitone to RosenblattBellacosa to GraffeoBellacosa to GraffeoCourt’s pro-prosecution recordCourt’s pro-prosecution record
[But] Rosenblatt: the “non” Pataki [But] Rosenblatt: the “non” Pataki appointee ?appointee ?
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law VotingTrending-Pataki Court
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
1994 & 1995 81 45 65 60 45 15 25
Fall '96 - Spring '98 80 47 53 27 27 31 33 0
Fall '97 - Spring '99 100 69 46 31 31 50 8 15
2000 & 2001 57 29 36 21 36 36 7 0
Titone ( - 98)
GB Smith Ciparick Kaye COURTLevine
('93 - '02)
Rosen- blatt
('99 - )
Bellacosa ( - '00)
Wesley ('97 - '03)
Graffeo ('01 - )
6. Kaye: Public Law Voting (Combined, Civil, Criminal), 1987 - 2001
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Judge (Pro-Individual Rights Voting Percent)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law SchoolSTREAMS OF TENDENCY ON THE NEW YORK COURT (2003)
Pro-
Indi
vidu
al R
ight
s Vo
ting
Perc
ent
Civil & Criminal Civil Criminal
Civil & Criminal 50 54 51 35
Civil 45 49 44 38
Criminal 53 57 56 32
15 YEAR TOTALS 1987-1991 1992-1996 1997-2001
7. Kaye: Criminal Law Voting Comparisons, 1987 - 2001
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Judge (Pro-Individual Rights Voting Percent: criminal)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law SchoolSTREAMS OF TENDENCY ON THE NEW YORK COURT (2003)
Pro-
Indi
vidu
al R
ight
s Vo
ting
Perc
ent 1987-2001 Totals 1987-1991 1992-1996 1997-2001
1987-2001 Totals 77 53 51 51 38 29 20
1987-1991 80 57 37 21
1992-1996 74 56 47 56 42 25 19
1997-2001 89 32 61 40 26 40 21
Titone ('87 - Aug. '98) KAYE Smith Ciparick COURT Levine Bellacosa ('87 - Aug. '00)
8. Ciparick: Public Law Voting (Combined, Civil, Criminal), 1994 - 2001
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Judge (Pro-Individual Rights Voting Percent)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law SchoolSTREAMS OF TENDENCY ON THE NEW YORK COURT (2003)
Pro-
Indi
vidu
al R
ight
s Vo
ting
Perc
ent
Civil & Criminal
Civil
Criminal
Civil & Criminal 54 63 29
Civil 57 70 24
Criminal 51 58 31
8 YEAR TOTALS 1994-1997 1998-2001
Pataki’s Court ?Pataki’s Court ? RepriseReprise
Pataki’s Increasing Impact: “Bashing” + Pataki’s Increasing Impact: “Bashing” + AppointmentsAppointmentsPataki’s Majority?Pataki’s Majority? Titone to Rosenblatt, Bellacosa to GraffeoTitone to Rosenblatt, Bellacosa to Graffeo Levine to Read, [Simons to] Wesley to R.S. SmithLevine to Read, [Simons to] Wesley to R.S. Smith
Court Court ReRe-Adjustment-AdjustmentKaye/Ciparick Kaye/Ciparick ReRe-shift-shiftPataki’s Judges: Wesley, Graffeo, Read, Pataki’s Judges: Wesley, Graffeo, Read, and (?) R.S. Smithand (?) R.S. Smith““Non” Pataki Judge: RosenblattNon” Pataki Judge: RosenblattCourt’s Pro-defendant Swing Back (?)Court’s Pro-defendant Swing Back (?)
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law VotingPataki's Court ?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions) Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
Fall '97 - Spring '99 69 46 31 31 50 15
2000 & 2001 57 29 36 21 36 36 7 0
Fall '01 thru Spring '03 67 48 43 19 18 24 10 10 0
Fall '03 thru Spring'06 [3yrs] 81 53 53 38 43 15 15 35
GB Smith Ciparick Kaye COURTLevine
('93 - '02)
Rosen- blatt
('99 - )
Wesley ('97 - '03)
Graffeo ('01 - )
Read ('03 - )
RS Smith ('04 - )
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law VotingCuomo Court vs Pataki Court
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 11/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
CUOMO: '90 & '91 91 48 17 4 26
CUOMO: early K (11/92-5/94) 81 52 63 63 24 13 48
PATAKI: F '01 - S '03 [2yrs] 67 48 43 18 19 24 10 10 0
PATAKI: F '03 - S '06 [3yrs] 81 53 53 38 43 35 15 15
Titone ( - '98)
GB Smith ( - '06) Ciparick Kaye
Levine ('93 - '02)
Wachtler ( -'92)
Bellacosa ( - '00) COURT
Rosenb't ('99 - )
RS Smith ('04 - )
Wesley ('97 - '03)
Graffeo ('01 - )
Read ('03 - )
The 2006The 2006 Court Court Re-Re-Emerging Pro-defendant WingEmerging Pro-defendant Wing
G.B. Smith, Kaye & CiparickG.B. Smith, Kaye & Ciparick Solid Pro-prosecution VotesSolid Pro-prosecution Votes
Graffeo & ReadGraffeo & Read The Less Predictable R.S. SmithThe Less Predictable R.S. Smith Rosenblatt in the CenterRosenblatt in the Center An Unmistakable SpectrumAn Unmistakable Spectrum
G.B. Smith/Kaye/CiparickG.B. Smith/Kaye/CiparickGraffeo/ReadGraffeo/ReadRosenblatt/R.S. SmithRosenblatt/R.S. Smith?? G.B. Smith Replaced by Pigott???? G.B. Smith Replaced by Pigott??
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting 2006 Court (Recent 5 Years)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent: divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Pro-
Def
enda
nt V
otin
g Pe
rcen
t
Fall '01 - Spring '03 [2yrs] 67 48 43 24 19 10 0
Fall '03 - Spring '06 [3yrs] 81 53 53 43 38 35 15 15
GB Smith ( - '06)
Ciparick Kaye Rosenblatt ('99 - )
COURT RS Smith ('04 - )
Graffeo ('01 - )
Read ('03 - )
The Current CourtThe Current Court (updated (updated Sept. 2006)Sept. 2006)
Future CourtFuture CourtSpitzer’s Opportunities ?Spitzer’s Opportunities ?
RosenblattRosenblatt Replacement, Jan. 2007 Replacement, Jan. 2007 KayeKaye Reappointment/Replacement, March Reappointment/Replacement, March
20072007 Mandatory Retirement, 2008Mandatory Retirement, 2008
CiparickCiparick Reappoint./Replacement, Jan. 2008 Reappoint./Replacement, Jan. 2008 Mandatory Retirement, 2012Mandatory Retirement, 2012
GraffeoGraffeo Reappoint./Replacement, Nov. 2014 Reappoint./Replacement, Nov. 2014 Mandatory Retirement, 2022Mandatory Retirement, 2022
R.S. SmithR.S. Smith Mandatory Retirement, 2014 Mandatory Retirement, 2014 PigottPigott Mandatory Retirement, 2016 Mandatory Retirement, 2016 ReadRead Reappointment/Replacement Jan. 2017 Reappointment/Replacement Jan. 2017
Mandatory Retirement, 2017Mandatory Retirement, 2017
