With the recent judicial elections now over, this week, we asked readers what qualities they want to see in the judges recently appointed to the bench.

 

“I personally would like to see stricter enforcement, a more punitive enforcement of laws, which affect people who are battered on the subway, muggings and things like that. This whole thing with cashless bail…I know, statistically, they all tell us the data shows it’s not a problem, but perception-wise, we see on the television every night. We see a mugging, a mugging, a mugging, and then you hear the next day that the guy got off or something like that. So, I want to see judges take a much more proactive, a more punitive approach towards justice for the victims, as opposed to the criminals. We need less compassion for the criminals, more compassion for the victims.”

Francis Leo Hogan,

Fordham Manor 

 

“They need to have fairness in their decisions; they shouldn’t have an ideology from the judges chair, and they need to be honest.”

Paul Kittas,

Bedford Park 

“For the most part, judges need to be a little stern because you can’t play when you’re making these decisions with someone’s life. Crime is hectic now. It’s not good so judges have to be stern; they can’t be lenient, as the cops do their investigation. When it comes to the judge, and the judge has to judge you, they can’t be lenient. They can’t.”

Shayna Freeman,

Norwood

 

“When it comes to those who ignore our laws, who injure or kill any of our community members, our judges should provide both harsher sentences for those responsible, as well as greater support for those who’ve been victimized.”

Jeff Conan Vargon,

Belmont

“What we need is judges to be fair with respect to the bail reform laws, but they must also understand that it’s the victim who counts. Also, under the current laws, the victims are being neglected. We need judges that are going to fight to keep guns off the streets and out of the hands of repeat offenders, without being in fear of being criticized or labeled as being tough on crime when, in reality, what he or she is doing is protecting the residents of New York City.”

Darney K. Born Rivers,

Fordham

 

Editor’s Note: Check the reaction and unofficial results of the judicial and other general elections held Nov. 8 here.