by Daily News Editorial Board
The need to simplify New York State’s crazy quilt of courts, where there are nine separate trial courts, except in those areas where there are 11 separate trial courts, has been apparent since the current hodgepodge was ratified by New Yorkers in a 1961 constitutional referendum.
That reform, six decades ago, abolished such archaisms as domestic relations courts, children’s courts, the court of general sessions and municipal court. It was a good start, but there’s been no improvement since, leaving in place a confusing, expensive mess.