COURT OF APPEALS DEVELOPMENTS
The Pataki Court
Vincent Martin Bonventre, J.D., Ph.D.
Legislative CLE, December 14, 2006
The Current Court (updated Sept. 2006)
Court of Appeals, 2006
Criminal Law Voting (Recent 5 Years)
90
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Fall '01 - Spring '06 [5yrs]
GB Smith
( - '06)
Ciparick
Kaye
Rosenblatt
('99 - )
RS Smith
('04 - )
Read
('03 - )
Graffeo
('01 - )
Wesley
('97 - '03)
76
51
50
37
35
14
13
10
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Current Trends (Recent 5 Years)
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
GB Smith
( - '06)
Ciparick
Kaye
Rosenblatt
('99 - )
Fall '01 - Spring '03 [2yrs]
67
48
43
24
Fall '03 - Spring '06 [3yrs]
81
53
53
43
RS Smith
('04 - )
35
Read
('03 - )
Graffeo
('01 - )
Wesley
('97 - '03)
COURT
0
10
10
19
15
15
38
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Recent Trends
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
90
(From 2000)
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
GB Smith
( - '06)
Ciparick
Kaye
Rosenblatt
('99 - )
2000 & 2001
57
29
36
36
Fall '01 - Spring '03 [2yrs]
67
48
43
24
Fall '03 - Spring '06 [3yrs]
81
53
53
43
RS Smith
('04 - )
35
Read
('03 - )
Graffeo
('01 - )
Wesley
('97 - '03)
COURT
0
7
21
0
10
10
19
15
15
38
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Judith S. Kaye






Appointed 1983, Cuomo
(replaced JF [elect])
First woman on Court
From NYC (born in
Monticello)
Appointed Chief Judge
1993, Cuomo
(replaced SW [Cuomo])
Current term expires
March 2007
Mandatory age
retirement 2008
George Bundy Smith (retired 2006)





Appointed 1992, Cuomo
(replaced FA [Cuomo])
From NYC (born New
Orleans)
Term expired Sept. 2006
Denied reappointment
by Pataki
(mandatory age
retirement would have
been 2007)
Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick





Appointed 1994, Cuomo
(replaced SFH [Cuomo])
First Hispanic on Court
From NYC
Current term expires Jan.
2008
Mandatory age
retirement 2012
Richard C. Wesley (resigned 2003)



Appointed 1997, Pataki
(replaced RDS [Cuomo])
From Livonia
[Rochester area]
(born Canandaigua, New
York)
Resigned for 2d Circuit
Appointment, 2003
Albert M. Rosenblatt



Appointed 1998, Pataki
(replaced VJT [Cuomo])
From Dutchess County
(born NYC)
Mandatory age
retirement 2006
Victoria A. Graffeo




Appointed 2000, Pataki
(replaced JWB [Cuomo])
From Guilderland (born
Rockville Center)
Term expires Nov. 2014
Mandatory age
retirement 2022
Susan P. Read




Appointed 2003, Pataki
(replaced HL [Cuomo])
From Capital Region
(born Gallipolis, Ohio)
Mandatory age
retirement 2017
Term expires Jan. 2017
Robert S. Smith



Appointed 2003, Pataki
(replaced RW [Pataki])
From NYC
Mandatory age
retirement 2014
Hon. Eugene F. Pigott, Jr.



Appointed 2006, Pataki
(replaced GBS [Cuomo])
From Grand Island
[Buffalo Metro Area]
(born Rochester, NY)
Mandatory age
retirement 2016
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Current "Pataki" Court
90
(Recent 5 Years)
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
GB Smith
( - '06)
Ciparick
Kaye
Rosenblatt
('99 - )
COURT
Fall '01 - Spring '03 [2yrs]
67
48
43
24
19
Fall '03 - Spring '06 [3yrs]
81
53
53
43
38
RS Smith
('04 - )
35
Wesley
('97 - '03)
Graffeo
('01 - )
Read
('03 - )
10
10
0
15
15
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
The Process
Background: Wachtler, Fuchsberg, Breitel,
Carey
 Commission: composition, purpose [evaluate,
report, recommend]

Applications: notice, solicitation, applicants
 Interviews: prelim evaluation, in-person
meeting

Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06
The Process cont’d
Voting: ranking/no-ranking, 2/3 support, revoting & winnowing
 Findings & Recommendations:
3-7 candidates
“report” on “character, temperament,
professional aptitude, experience,
qualifications and fitness”
—otherwise entirely confidential

Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06
The Process cont’d

Gubernatorial Nomination: limited to list,
agenda?

Senatorial Advice & Consent: committee
hearing, full senate, “advice” or just consent?
Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06
The Process cont’d

Election vs “Nonpolitical Merit”
Appointment:
 Pros / Cons
 Final Product, Comparisons
 Essentials
Vincent M. Bonventre, 12/06
Court of Appeals
Making of the Pataki Court
Voting and Decisional Patterns in
Criminal Cases:
From Cuomo thru Pataki
Vincent Martin Bonventre, J.D., Ph.D.
December 2006
100
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
90
Cuomo & Pataki Courts
80
(Composite of Studies)
70
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
60
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
50
40
30
20
10
0
Tito ne
(- '98)
GB S m ith
(- '06)
C ipa ric k
Ka ye
Le vine
('93 - '02)
48
Wa c htle r
( -'92)
17
B e lla c o s a
( - '00)
C OUR T
R o s e nbla tt
('99 - )
R S S m ith
('04 - )
We s le y
('97 - '03)
1990 & 1991
91
4
26
po s t W / e a rly K (11/92-5/94)
81
52
63
63
24
13
48
1994 & 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
15
1996 thru 1998
83
21
43
Gra ffe o
('01 - )
Read
('03 - )
57
68
39
48
1999 thru 2001
61
29
39
41
28
35
17
2000 & 2001
57
29
36
36
21
36
7
2001
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 (to ta l 4yrs )
69
56
54
31
40
35
10
10
F a ll '05 - S pring '06
95
40
40
35
30
35
20
20
F a ll '04 - S pring '06 [2yrs ]
85
48
52
39
42
36
18
18
F a ll '03 - S pring '06 [3yrs ]
81
53
53
38
43
35
15
15
F a ll '01-S pring '06[5yrs ]
76
51
50
32
37
35
13
14
18
8
10
0
Late Wachtler – Early Kaye
All Cuomo Court
Late Wachtler era
Pro-prosecution record
Wachtler/Bellacosa v. Kaye/Titone
 Post-Wachtler – Early Kaye
Pro-defendant swing
Wachtler Court – Kaye Court transition

Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Late Wachtler - Early Kaye (All Cuomo Court)
100
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Titone
(- '98)
1990 & 1991
91
post W / early K (11/92-5/94)
81
GB Smith
52
Ciparick
63
Kaye
COURT
48
26
63
48
Levine
('93 - '02)
24
Wachtler
( -'92)
Bellacosa
( - '00)
17
4
13
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M . Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Emerging Kaye Court
All Cuomo Court
Reprise
Late Wachtler
Early Kaye
 Emerging Kaye Court
Pro-defendant swing persists
Kaye/Titone/G.B. Smith/Ciparick
“liberal” majority

Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Emerging Kaye Court (All Cuomo Court)
100
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Titone
(- '98)
GB Smith
Ciparick
Kaye
COURT
48
26
Levine
('93 - '02)
Wachtler
( -'92)
Bellacosa
( - '00)
17
4
1990 & 1991
91
post W / early K (11/92-5/94)
81
52
63
63
48
24
13
1994 & 1995
81
45
65
60
45
15
25
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M . Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Cuomo to Pataki Transition
Reprise
Post-Wachtler / Early Kaye
Emerging Kaye Court
 Post Court-Bashing
Pro-prosecution “adjustment”
Kaye/Ciparick voting shift

Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Cuomo - Pataki Transition
100
90
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Titone
(- '98)
GB Smith
Ciparick
Kaye
COURT
Levine
('93 - '02)
Bellacosa
( - '00)
Wesley
('97 - '03)
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
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M . Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Trending-Pataki Court



Reprise
Emerging Kaye Court
Post Court-bashing
Pataki’s Increasing Impact
Kaye/Ciparick shift persists
Pataki’s appointees:
Simons to Wesley
Titone to Rosenblatt
Bellacosa to Graffeo
Court’s pro-prosecution record
[But] Rosenblatt: the “non” Pataki appointee ?
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Trending-Pataki Court
100
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Rosenblatt
('99 - )
Titone
( - 98)
GB Smith
Ciparick
Kaye
COURT
Levine
('93 - '02)
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
57
29
36
21
36
2000 & 2001
36
Bellacosa
( - '00)
Wesley
('97 - '03)
7
Graffeo
('01 - )
0
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions
Source: Vincent M . Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
6. Kaye: Public Law Voting (Combined, Civil, Criminal), 1987 - 2001
60
Pro-Individual Rights Voting Percent
Civil & Criminal
Civil
Criminal
50
40
30
20
10
0
15 YEAR TOTALS
1987-1991
1992-1996
1997-2001
Civil & Criminal
50
54
51
35
Civil
45
49
44
38
Criminal
53
57
56
32
Judge (Pro-Individual Rights Voting Percent)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School
STREAMS OF TENDENCY ON THE NEW YORK COURT (2003)
7. Kaye: Criminal Law Voting Comparisons, 1987 - 2001
80
Pro-Individual Rights Voting Percent
70
1987-2001 Totals
1987-1991
1992-1996
1997-2001
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Titone ('87 - Aug. '98)
KAYE
Smith
Ciparick
COURT
Levine
Bellacosa
('87 Aug. '00)
1987-2001 Totals
77
53
51
51
38
29
20
1987-1991
80
57
1992-1996
74
56
47
56
42
25
19
1997-2001
89
32
61
40
26
40
21
37
21
Judge (Pro-Individual Rights Voting Percent: criminal)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School
STREAMS OF TENDENCY ON THE NEW YORK COURT (2003)
8. Ciparick: Public Law Voting (Combined, Civil, Criminal), 1994 - 2001
Pro-Individual Rights Voting Percent
70
60
Civil & Criminal
Civil
50
Criminal
40
30
20
10
0
8 YEAR TOTALS
1994-1997
1998-2001
Civil & Criminal
54
63
29
Civil
57
70
24
Criminal
51
58
31
Judge (Pro-Individual Rights Voting Percent)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School
STREAMS OF TENDENCY ON THE NEW YORK COURT (2003)
Pataki’s Court ?


Reprise
Pataki’s Increasing Impact: “Bashing” + Appointments
Pataki’s Majority?
Titone to Rosenblatt, Bellacosa to Graffeo
Levine to Read, [Simons to] Wesley to R.S. Smith
Court Re-Adjustment
Kaye/Ciparick Re-shift
Pataki’s Judges: Wesley, Graffeo, Read,
and (?) R.S. Smith
“Non” Pataki Judge: Rosenblatt
Court’s Pro-defendant Swing Back (?)
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Pataki's Court ?
80
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Rosenblatt
('99 - )
GB Smith
Ciparick
Kaye
COURT
Levine
('93 - '02)
Wesley
('97 - '03)
Graffeo
('01 - )
Read
('03 - )
Fall '97 - Spring '99
69
46
31
31
50
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
15
15
RS Smith
('04 - )
15
43
35
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
Cuomo Court vs Pataki Court
90
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Titone
( - '98)
CUOMO: '90 & '91
91
CUOMO: early K (11/92-5/94)
81
GB Smith
Ciparick
( - '06)
Kaye
Levine Wachtler Bellacosa
Rosenb't RS Smith Wesley
COURT
('93 - '02) ( -'92)
( - '00)
('99 - )
('04 - ) ('97 - '03)
48
17
52
63
63
24
PATAKI: F '01 - S '03 [2yrs]
67
48
43
18
PATAKI: F '03 - S '06 [3yrs]
81
53
53
4
26
13
48
19
24
38
43
10
35
Graffeo
('01 - )
Read
('03 - )
10
0
15
15
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 11/06
The 2006 Court





Re-Emerging Pro-defendant Wing
G.B. Smith, Kaye & Ciparick
Solid Pro-prosecution Votes
Graffeo & Read
The Less Predictable R.S. Smith
Rosenblatt in the Center
An Unmistakable Spectrum
G.B. Smith/Kaye/Ciparick
Graffeo/Read
Rosenblatt/R.S. Smith
?? G.B. Smith Replaced by Pigott??
Court of Appeals: Criminal Law Voting
2006 Court
90
(Recent 5 Years)
Pro-Defendant Voting Percent
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
GB Smith
( - '06)
Ciparick
Kaye
Rosenblatt
('99 - )
COURT
Fall '01 - Spring '03 [2yrs]
67
48
43
24
19
Fall '03 - Spring '06 [3yrs]
81
53
53
43
38
RS Smith
('04 - )
35
Graffeo
('01 - )
Read
('03 - )
10
0
15
15
Judge (Pro-Defendant Voting Percent:
divided criminal decisions)
Source: Vincent M. Bonventre, Albany Law School 12/06
The Current Court (updated Sept. 2006)
Future Court
Spitzer’s Opportunities ?


Rosenblatt Replacement, Jan. 2007
Kaye Reappointment/Replacement, March 2007


Ciparick Reappoint./Replacement, Jan. 2008




Mandatory Retirement, 2012
Graffeo Reappoint./Replacement, Nov. 2014


Mandatory Retirement, 2008
Mandatory Retirement, 2022
R.S. Smith Mandatory Retirement, 2014
Pigott Mandatory Retirement, 2016
Read Reappointment/Replacement Jan. 2017

Mandatory Retirement, 2017