New Judge on Deck

press release from City of Rochester:
Mayor Warren Appoints Melissa Barrett to Rochester City Court

(Friday, Dec. 14, 2018) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren today announced the appointment of Melissa Barrett as Rochester City Court Judge. Under the City Charter and New York State law, the Mayor of Rochester has the power to appoint a new City Court Judge when a vacancy occurs on that court. 

“I am very pleased to appoint Melissa Barrett as a City Court Judge,” said Mayor Warren.  “Rochester’s City Court is the court with jurisdiction closest to our citizens and Melissa Barrett has the right experience and temperament to ensure that justice is served for all of our citizens, residents and visitors who are touched by this important court. I know Judge Barrett will serve in her new role as a judge at the highest caliber and with the highest regard for both the law and the citizens it protects.”   

“Having worked in City Court as both principal court attorney and as a defense lawyer, I know just how important this Court is to the citizens it serves,” said newly appointed Rochester City Court Judge Melissa Barrett. “Ensuring that all citizens in every instance have a voice in City Court and that justice is fairly and equally balanced between defense and prosecution, as well as between victims and defendants, will now be my solemn duty and I am committed to upholding that balance. I want to thank Mayor Warren for her confidence in me, and I am grateful to serve as Rochester City Court Judge.”  

Judge Barrett currently serves as principal court attorney for Rochester City Court. She has also served as an assistant public defender for the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office, and as an Assistant District Counsel for the U.S. Small Business Administration. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the State University of New York at Albany.

Mayor Warren selected Judge Barrett after she was recommended by the City’s Judicial Screening Committee. The Committee sought resumes and conducted interviews of local attorneys interested in the City Court appointment. It then forwarded three names to Mayor Warren for her consideration. Mayor Warren selected Barrett from that list. Her appointment will be effective immediately once the Mayor’s designation is filed with the Office of Court Administration.