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Mayor de Blasio Appoints Judges to Criminal Court and Civil Court

June 7, 2016

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today appointed two new judges to Criminal Court and four new judges as interim Civil Court judges who will sit in Criminal Court. The judges appointed have years of experience in the public and private sectors.

“The appointment of experienced, honest and diverse judges helps ensure that all New Yorkers have access to a fair, equitable justice system,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “From a former career prosecutor to a former attorney with the Legal Aid Society, these highly qualified appointees represent various legal and personal backgrounds that I am certain reflect and uphold the values of our great city.”

Criminal Court Appointments: 

Judge Gerianne Abriano has been a career prosecutor, having served 22 years with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. She last served as Bureau Chief of the Red Hook Community Justice Center, the first multi-jurisdictional problem solving court in the nation. Judge Abriano received her B.A. from Hunter College and her law degree from New York Law School.

Judge Cori Weston served with the Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Division for seven years, then worked for the New York County Defender Services for nearly 19 years. She is a member of the Criminal Advocacy Committee of the New York City Bar. Judge Weston is a graduate of Hofstra University and received her law degree from Fordham University School of Law.

Civil Court Appointments:

Judge Toni Cimino, who has been appointed to Civil Court and assigned to Criminal Court, began her career as an associate criminal defense attorney with a private firm, then served with the New York State Unified Court System for nearly 17 years as a Court Attorney, Assistant Deputy Counsel and Court Attorney Referee. She received her undergraduate degree from St. John’s University and her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.

Judge Charlotte Davidson served with the New York State Unified Court System for 13 years including as Counsel to the former Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals Jonathan Lippman. Prior to that, she was an associate with a private firm and served as a law clerk in the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. Judge Davidson is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School. She has been appointed to Civil Court and assigned to Criminal Court.

Judge Eugene Guarino began his career as a prosecutor with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office where he served for six years before going into private practice. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Principal Court Attorney in Criminal and Supreme Court, Queens County. Judge Guarino graduated from Fordham University and St. John’s University School of Law. He has been appointed to Civil Court and assigned to Criminal Court.

Judge Bahaati Pitt, who has been appointed to Civil Court and assigned to Criminal Court, served with the Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Division for seven years before becoming a Court Attorney in Family and Civil Court and Principal Law Clerk in Supreme Court, Bronx County. Judge Pitt is a graduate of Morgan State University and received her J.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo. She previously served as President of the Black Bar Association of Bronx County.

About Criminal Court:
Criminal Court handles misdemeanors, lesser offenses and conducts arraignments and preliminary hearings for felonies. The Criminal Courts of the City of New York are located in all five boroughs. The Mayor appoints judges to 10-year terms in the New York City Criminal Court, which is part of the New York State Unified Court System.

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