The hand of State Senator John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) is seen in the promotions Black and Hispanic judges and women moving up the courts' ladder.

The face of the state courts in New York City is undergoing a change in complexion, both literally and figuratively.

Within the past four months, ever since the Democrats took control of the State senate from the Republicans who had the majority in the upper chamber, the State Office of Court Administration urged on by the senate leadership in Albany, in general, and, in particular, by the Chamber's influential Judiciary Committee led by Senator John Sampson, has made some "strategic and welcomed" appointments to ensure the judiciary reflected the communities served by the courts, according to Black lawmakers.

"It is very important that the courts reflect the diversity of the communities they serve," said Sampson, himself an attorney who teaches law at a local college. "It is obvious that the Office of Court Administration is not only listening but acting responsibly as well. But more still remains to be done to make the system truly reflective of New York City."

Since taking over the leadership of the Judiciary Committee, which monitors the administration of Justice, Sampson has seen Blacks, Hispanics and women appointed to key administrative positions for the first time and to the appellate courts that were dominated by white male judges.

"We are looking for judges who are moderate and highly qualified. I also look for diversity. I give all the praise to the Chief Judge and also to the chief administrative judge because they have listened to the suggestions by members of the Senate Democratic Conference with respect to diversity within the judiciary. They have heard our suggestions and they have implemented them." Among the changes Sampson cited were the appointment of a Black woman as the first Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the Office of Court Administration; two Blacks chosen for the Appellate Division, Second Department; a Hispanic judge who was made the presiding justice of the Appellate Court's First Department; another Hispanic as the administrative judge of the criminal courts in Queens; and two African-American women appointed as acting Supreme Court judges in Brooklyn. In addition, Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix was recently promoted as administrative judge for civil matters before the court. In effect, she is the face of the civil courts.

"It's a very good appointment," said State Senator Eric Adams, also of Brooklyn. "The judge has earned a reputation for competence, fairness and knowledge of the law. We welcome her elevation to that position."

Senator Sampson agreed.

"She is going to make an excellent administrative judge," he told the Carib News. "She is well suited for the job."

The Judiciary Committee Chairman insists everything must be done to "make sure that our citizens have faith, trust and confidence in our judicial system." And one way to achieve that is by putting judges on the bench who are fair, know the law, and who look like the defendants. Without diversity on the bench, he contends, that trust and confidence wouldn't emerge. "Remember this is the place of last resort, where justice is supposed to be blind and supposed to be balanced," he said. "It's not simply a matter of putting Blacks on the bench. We must have more women, Asians, Hispanics and native Americans to ensure that the courts are reflective of what the citizens of the state of New York look like."

Interestingly, Sampson has rejected the so-called "merit system" for the selection and appointment of judges because, he said, "it is too political and individuals have their own subjective beliefs, even stereotypes which often prevent very good qualified candidates from making their names onto certain lists so they can be selected. Sometimes the selection is more political than individuals just running for judgeships."

Up until the recently, there were no ethnic minorities serving as acting State Supreme Court judges in Brooklyn.

"We are not interested in ceremonial positions but we minorities to be at the table, making sure that change is implemented in the administration of judges in a fair and equitable manner," was the way he put it.