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Q&A
Council Member Salaam questions DA Gonzalez about pilot program for case processing
6:24:41
ยท
3 min
Council Member Yusef Salaam inquires about a pilot program for case processing that Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez is working on with Judge Zayes. Gonzalez explains the program's approach to addressing case backlogs and discovery implementation issues, highlighting its initial success in resolving cases more quickly.
- The program involves senior court staff, executive-level DA office staff, and defense attorneys meeting before trials to resolve cases and address discovery issues.
- It emphasizes the need for adequate court staffing to expedite case processing.
- The initiative aims to reduce delays caused by discovery-related litigation and waiting for court decisions on discovery matters.
Yusef Salaam
6:24:41
And to Dia Gonzalez, can you talk about the pilot program for case processing that you are working with on that you're working on with judge Zayes?
Eric Gonzalez
6:24:55
Yes.
6:24:55
So what we're trying to do is do everything in our power to move the backlog and to help, sort through some of the issues related to discovery implementation.
6:25:12
And so what's happening now in the county, and it's shown great success so far in ways that may not have been anticipated.
6:25:22
But what happens is that very senior staff from the courthouse will oversee a case before the case is on for trial.
6:25:32
They will meet with the assigned assistant DA as well as an executive from my office, so not just a supervisor, but someone who has executive authority in the office to help resolve cases and to deal with whatever discovery, snafus may be involved in the case.
6:25:52
The defense, attorney, will be present.
6:25:56
And what we've seen during the implementation of this program is that we have been able, with the activity of the judge, the involvement of the judge and senior staff from the court's office, been able to resolve cases.
6:26:12
So we're starting to move cases a little more quickly, meaning that they're not, being, upheld and, delayed.
6:26:20
It's it's shown a lot of promise.
6:26:22
It really does speak to what I was referring to earlier.
6:26:26
We need court staff in order to expedite things in the courthouse.
6:26:30
It's really about the availability of the court.
6:26:33
This program is also designed really to try to resolve discovery issues.
6:26:40
One of the things we've all testified to in some ways is that the unintended response to discovery implementation is there's a lot of litigation back and forth between the DA's office and the defense attorney representing their client about what's been turned over, or not there's been an issue with the certificate of compliance or the statement of readiness.
6:27:07
And sometimes these things linger for months and months.
6:27:10
The courts are overwhelmed too because they're not staffed well.
6:27:14
And sometimes you're waiting for a decision on a discovery matter.
6:27:18
You know, the motion has been filed, it may take three months to get the court's decision, of course, adding to delay in in the cases.
6:27:25
So this allows the the senior staff of the court and sometimes the judge very directly to be involved in a discovery matter, resolve it, and move the case forward.
6:27:35
And I thank chief judge administrative judge Zayas and, of course, chief judge Wilson for getting their hands dirty and getting involved in this discovery issue.
Yusef Salaam
6:27:48
Thank you.
6:27:49
We're gonna now hear from our other members starting with council member Holden.