In outlining the state courtsystem’s priorities at the start of the new millennium, Chief Judge JudithS. Kaye announced yesterday the appointment of a commission to examinehow to better handle drug cases.
Judge Kaye also said thecourt system’s top priorities are gaining more flexibility in sentencingaddicts and drug dealers and increasing the compensation rates for court-appointedcounsel in criminal cases. She also spoke of a need to cast the courtsand judges in “problem solving” roles, and simplify New York’s trial courtsby consolidating nine courts into two.
