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Judicial Selection
Improving the methods of selecting judges is the cornerstone of Modern Courts’ mission.
Read MoreCourt Simplification
To provide justice today, we must reform the New York State court system.
Read MoreAccess To Justice
We seek to make the the NYS Court system accessible and and fair to all New Yorkers.
Read More2023 Cyrus R. Vance Award
On May 11th, 2023, we honored and paid tribute to the Hon. Rolando T. Acosta, former Presiding Justice of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, for over 25 years of distinguished public service.
Modern Courts Initiatives
We listen to people who use the courts so we can identify which changes are needed to better serve the public.
Our efforts aim to achieve a wide range of improvements in the State judiciary.
Modern Courts News

Cameras in the Courts: Enhancing Transparency in the New York State Judiciary
This report provides a historical view of the audiovisual coverage prohibition in New York’s courts; includes a comprehensive survey of all 50 states and the District of Columbia concerning audiovisual coverage of courtroom proceedings; and evaluates in-court camera use on an issue-by-issue basis, including considerations relating to racial justice, judicial transparency, and the interests of litigants and the public.
Read the report