To serve in the office of family court judge a person must be admitted to the practice of law in New York State for at least _________ as of the date he or she commences the duties of the office of judge.

• A. 10 years
• B. 5 years
• C. 7 years
• D. 12 years

Answer: (A)

The requirement focuses on having substantial legal experience before taking the bench. For a family court judge in New York, the statute sets a minimum of ten years of admission to the practice of law in New York State as of the date duties begin. This threshold ensures the judge possesses extensive exposure to legal procedure, courtroom practice, and the substantive law that often appears in family matters, enabling more informed, fair, and confident decision-making in complex or sensitive cases such as custody, support, and protection issues.

Five years would not meet the stated minimum, seven years is also short of the requirement, and twelve years, while more than needed, goes beyond the minimum rather than stating the rule.