Rolando T Acosta

Rolando T Acosta

March 11, 2024 | New York Law Journal

NYPD 'Uninformed' Attacks on Judges' Bail Decisions Pose a 'Grave' Threat

There are a number of problems with the NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell's recent criticism

By Rolando T. Acosta

15 minute read

January 03, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Strengthening the Delivery of Justice at the Appellate Division

Former Appellate Division, First Department Presiding Justice Rolando Acosta and former associate justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, David Saxe offer several ideas and proposals which deserve renewed attention.

By Rolando T. Acosta and David B. Saxe

12 minute read

September 14, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Certified Questions from the Appellate Division as a Tool for Bettering the Rule of Law

Rolando T. Acosta, former presiding justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, and Michael A. Fernández discuss the need to reform the certification process from the Departments of the Appellate Division to the Court of Appeals, and offer some specific proposals.

By Rolando T. Acosta and Michael A. Fernández

11 minute read

July 05, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Acosta Responds to Former Bankruptcy Judge Chapman's Criticism of His Take on 'Carceral' Judges Report

"If Chapman doesn't disagree with the substance of my critique of the 'Cost of Discretion' report, then I am at a loss to understand why she thinks those criticisms were inappropriate. Just as judicial decision-making is fair game for public scrutiny, such criticism, when it is flawed and misleading, should be subject to correction and clarification," Rolando Acosta, a former presiding justice for the Appellate Division, First Department, writes.

By Rolando T. Acosta

8 minute read

June 13, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Report on 'Carceral' Judges Is Flawed and Dangerous

A recent report on New York City judges contains cherry-picked data and unsound methodology and is clearly designed to encroach on judicial independence by intimidating judges into making decisions that align with the authors' ideology, a retired presiding justice of the Appellate Division, First Department writes.

By Rolando T. Acosta

14 minute read

May 15, 2023 | New York Law Journal

A House Again Divided: Our Democracy and Courts in Peril

I understand that it is easier to talk about threats to judicial independence when those threats are coming from people with whom we disagree ideologically, but it is clear to me that the threats are now coming from inside the house, so to speak.

By Hon. Rolando T. Acosta

12 minute read

February 10, 2023 | New York Law Journal

How To Modernize an Appellate Court in Five Years

"With a heavy heart, I announce that I will be stepping down on March 17. While I love this job, I look forward to pursuing other interests and passions, being unconstrained by my status as a judge and again able to engage in the private practice of law and in robust discussions over the role of the judiciary in defending democracy."

By Rolando T. Acosta

10 minute read

January 17, 2023 | New York Law Journal

The Revival of American Democracy?

Rolando T. Acosta, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, writes: To remain hopeful for the future of our fragile system means to remain vigilant and do everything we can as citizens to protect democracy and engender reverence for it in others.

By Rolando T. Acosta, Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, First Department.

7 minute read

January 03, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Disrespect for Constitutional Process Damages Democracy

To remain hopeful for the future of our fragile system means to remain vigilant and do everything we can as citizens to protect democracy and engender reverence for it in others.

By Rolando T. Acosta

7 minute read

October 05, 2022 | New York Law Journal

The Representation of Justice

The Appellate Division, First Department, is initiating a sustained program—the Representation of Justice Initiative—to add to, and contextualize, its existing art.

By Rolando T. Acosta

5 minute read


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