Trump’s NY $484 Mil Appeal Could Go to a Majority Black Female Court

Trump may be in for tough sledding in his appeal with the members of the New York Appellate court. Right now they’re busy celebrating Black History month. For the first time this month oral arguments were heard from an all African-American Bench.

 At first blush, it might not be a welcoming crowd. It looks like it takes five to hear a case, so good luck Mr. Trump in your draw. The majority of the judges in all divisions were appointed by Cuomo with three by Hochul.  It is stated: ABC News

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants are appealing their $464 million civil fraud case.

In a filing Monday, the defendants signaled their plans to appeal the ruling to New York’s Appellate Division, First Department.

“This appeal is taken from each and every part of the Order insofar as Defendants are aggrieved,” defense lawyers Alina Habba and Clifford Robert wrote in the notice.

Former President Donald Trump filed an appeal Monday against the dramatic $454 million court loss he suffered in a New York real estate fraud case.

Trump’s liability includes penalties of about $355 million plus interest that started running at different times for different Trump properties. Interest will continue accumulating at 9% a year until the judgment is paid, under state law.

New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Trump in the lawsuit of wildly overstating the value of his assets in financial statements provided to banks.

In a decision Feb. 16, Justice Arthur Engoron wrote that the frauds uncovered in an investigation by the New York Attorney General’s Office “leap off the page and shock the conscience.”

Presiding Justice Renwick Announces historic all AfricanAmerican Bench to hear oral arguments on February 14, 2024 The bench will be comprised of Presiding Justice Dianne T. Renwick, Justice Troy K. Webber, Justice Tanya R. Kennedy, Justice Bahaati Pitt-Burke, and Justice Marsha D. Michael. This historic event will fittingly take place during Black History Month, the annual celebration that promotes the achievements and contributions of AfricanAmericans and fosters an understanding of Black history in general.

Let’s take a look at the how the court system operates in New York which seems different from many State courts. (According to Google sources linked)- I am not an attorney. This is my read on it from what I could find.

About the Appellate Court

Created by the New York State Constitution of 1894, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Judicial Department, is one of four intermediate appellate courts in the State, and holds jurisdiction over the Counties of New York and the Bronx. Appeals are taken to the Appellate Division, as a matter of right, in civil and criminal cases, from the Supreme Court, Surrogate’s Court, Family Court, and Court of Claims.

As a branch of the Supreme Court, the Appellate Division has broad powers to review questions of law and fact, and to make new findings of fact. It serves as the court of original jurisdiction in certain types of matters; other cases reach the Appellate Division after they have been reviewed by the Appellate Term, a lower appellate court.

Since, with few exceptions, appeals to the Court of Appeals, the State’s highest court, are by permission only, the Appellate Division is the court of last resort in the majority of cases. Over 3,000 appeals, 6,000 motions, and 1,000 interim applications are determined each year.

How is the NY Appellate Division different from the Court of Appeals?

Unlike the Court of Appeals, which, with limited exceptions, has only the power to review errors of law, the Appellate Division has broad power to review questions of law, findings of fact, and exercises of discretion.

What is the highest appellate court in New York?

The Court of Appeals

The Court of Appeals is New York State’s highest court and court of last resort in most cases. The Court, which sits in Albany, is composed of a chief judge and six associate judges, each appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, to a 14-year term of office.

What does the New York Court of Appeals do?

The Court of Appeals, New York’s highest-level court, hears civil and criminal appeals from the state’s intermediate appellate courts, and, in some instances, directly from the trial courts.

How many judges are on the Appellate Division in NY? 24 total in all departments. Trump’s case is in the First Department.

The Appellate Division is composed of seven Justices in each of the First and Second Departments and five in each of the other departments. Additional Justices may be designated by the Governor upon certification, by the court that they are needed. Looks like additional ones have been added.

Here is a link to all of the names of the Justices here

Good luck Orange Man…the swamp is out there..