This morning, four people filed a federal class action to end massive delays in misdemeanor cases in Bronx Criminal Court. The suit, Trowbridge v. Cuomo, alleges that systemic delay violates the constitutional speedy trial and due process rights of thousands of people facing misdemeanor charges in the Bronx.

It now takes an average of 827 days to get a misdemeanor jury trial in Bronx Criminal Court. In 2015, there were more than 45,000 misdemeanor arraignments in the Bronx, but fewer than 100 trials.

The Bronx has fewer misdemeanor case filings than Brooklyn or Manhattan, but more year-old misdemeanor cases than every other borough combined.

ECBAWM attorneys Matthew D. Brinckerhoff, Ilann M. Maazel, and Doug Lieb represent the plaintiffs, along with lead counsel The Bronx Defenders and the firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP.  For more information, see the press release here.