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 Survey on Racism, Inequality and the Need for Court Simplification

Survey on Inequality in the Structure of the NYS Court System

1.Please fill in the following information:
2.Please fill in the following information:
3.Do you identify as any of the following?
4.Please describe the work you do and the population you/your organization serve(s).
5.Please mark all boroughs/counties your organization serves
6.Do you/your organization serve clients in: (check all that apply)
7.Do you/your organization serve clients in: (check all that apply)
8.Do you/your organization serve clients in: (check all that apply)
9.Do you think that the structure of the NYS court system perpetuates institutional racism and inequality?
10.Are there specific court policies and practices that RESULT FROM THE COURT STRUCTURE that you can identify that contribute to institutional racism and inequality?
11.If we agree that our structure perpetuates racism and inequality, can policies and practices be effective without changing the structure?

'The sad picture that emerges is, in effect, a second-class system of justice for people of color in New York State. This is not new. In 1991, a Minorities Commission appointed by then-Chief Judge Wachtler declared “there are two justice systems at work in the courts of New York State, one for Whites, and a very different one for minorities and the poor.”' See Special Advisor Equal Justice Report
12.In your experience, does race impact: (check all that apply)
13.Are the different courts employing different ways of conducting remote proceedings that impact litigants differently?

14.Have you noticed disparities in how different courts have implemented health and safety standards during the COVID-19 pandemic?
15.Do you think a simplified (i.e. consolidated or unified) court system, as proposed, would improve existing structures in order to deal with racism and inequality.
16.Do you think a simplified (i.e. consolidated or unified) court system would improve upon existing structures and better enable it to deal with future crises or with sustained impacts of Covid-19?
17.Please offer any additional comments, examples, or recommendations.