CLE group continues at Kings County Supreme Court as Maria Neri takes the lead

November 7, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Maria Neri presents Justice Matthew D’Emic with a certificate of appreciation following his CLE presentation to the court attorneys of the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term. Photo courtesy of Maria Neri

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The Court Attorneys of the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, have established themselves as a vital forum for professional development and collaboration. Since May 2023, the group has been hosting Continuing Legal Education (CLE) sessions, initially under the leadership of Bill and Maria Neri.

Following Bill Neri’s departure from the court system earlier this year to join the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, his wife, Maria, has taken over as the group’s leader. Despite the transition, the CLE sessions have continued, providing a vital resource for court attorneys.

“When Bill left, it was something we considered stopping,” Maria Neri said. “But too many court attorneys reached out with their support, and it was overwhelming. This is a group that supports each other and believes in this.”

The most recent CLE session featured Hon. Matthew D’Emic, administrative judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term. Justice D’Emic, who also presides over the Kings County Mental Health Court, discussed his responsibilities in both roles, offering insights into the court’s specialized approach to cases involving defendants with mental health issues.

Hon. Matthew D’Emic addresses a room full of Kings County court attorneys during a recent CLE session, discussing his dual roles as Administrative Judge and Mental Health Court presiding judge. Photo courtesy of Maria Neri

The Mental Health Court, established in 2002, aims to divert defendants with serious mental illnesses from the traditional criminal justice system. Instead, it connects them with treatment programs designed to address underlying issues while maintaining public safety. The program allows some participants to have their charges reduced or dismissed if they successfully comply with court-mandated treatment plans.

The court has served more than 1,750 participants, with a compliance rate of 74%. While the program offers an alternative to incarceration, it operates within a framework of strict accountability. Participants are required to attend regular court appearances, adhere to treatment mandates, and demonstrate progress.

The CLE group itself has evolved from informal lunches to a structured program, offering court attorneys an opportunity to stay current on legal developments. The inaugural CLE session featured Hon. Barry Kamins, who provided a Fourth Amendment update. Since then, the group has grown, regularly drawing attorneys from across the courthouse.

Maria Neri plans to continue the quarterly CLE sessions, inviting speakers who can address the diverse challenges court attorneys face.

She is the Principal Court Attorney to Hon. H. Jacob Moses at the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term. A graduate of Touro Law Center, she has built a distinguished career within New York’s court system, including previous roles as principal court attorney to Hon. William M. Harrington and Hon. Joanne Quinones. Neri’s experience spans nearly a decade, focusing on criminal law and judicial administration.