In the Criminal Court of the City of New York, which handles misdemeanor cases, the average length of time from arraignment until trial is some 380 days.1 Court congestion and increasing caseloads are factors in prolonging the duration of the pretrial period. In addition, for a conscientious lawyer, trial preparation is a slow and arduous process.
But not, apparently, for many New York City misdemeanor prosecutors. Uniquely among lawyers of all specialties and jurisdictions, they declare themselves to be “ready for trial” at the first appearance, the arraignment.2 How do they become such virtuosos? A personal injury lawyer would never claim to be “ready for trial” the day after the automobile accident in question.
