New york high court

The New York State Court of Appeals is the highest court in the state of New York. It is the final court of appeal in the state and has the power to review and decide appeals from all other New York state courts. The court is composed of seven judges, known as justices, who are appointed by the Governor of New York and confirmed by the New York State Senate.

The Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over all cases that originate in the state's trial courts, including the New York Supreme Court and the New York City Civil Court. The court also has jurisdiction over appeals from the Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court, which are intermediate appellate courts that hear appeals from the trial courts.

The Court of Appeals is located in Albany, the capital of New York, and is responsible for interpreting the state's laws and constitution. The court's decisions are binding on all state courts and are often cited as precedent in other cases.

Some of the key responsibilities of the New York State Court of Appeals include:

  1. Hearing appeals from trial courts: The Court of Appeals hears appeals from trial courts, including the New York Supreme Court and the New York City Civil Court.
  2. Interpreting state laws and constitution: The court is responsible for interpreting the state's laws and constitution, and its decisions are binding on all state courts.
  3. Setting legal precedents: The Court of Appeals sets legal precedents that are followed by all state courts, and its decisions are often cited as authority in other cases.
  4. Resolving disputes between state agencies: The court has jurisdiction over disputes between state agencies and other state entities.
  5. Reviewing death penalty cases: The Court of Appeals has the power to review death penalty cases and determine whether the sentence is constitutional.

Some notable cases decided by the New York State Court of Appeals include:

  1. People v. LaFleur (1978): The court held that the death penalty was unconstitutional in New York.
  2. Matter of Baby M (1988): The court ruled that a surrogate mother could not unilaterally decide to give up her child for adoption.
  3. People v. Franklin (1994): The court held that the use of DNA evidence in criminal trials was constitutional.
  4. Matter of Westchester County Medical Center (2001): The court ruled that a hospital could not be held liable for medical malpractice if it followed established medical standards.
  5. People v. LaValle (2013): The court held that a defendant's right to a fair trial was violated when the prosecution used a witness who had been coached by the police.

Overall, the New York State Court of Appeals plays a critical role in the state's judicial system, and its decisions have a significant impact on the law and society in New York.