J. Lee Rankin, Corporation Counsel of the City of New York

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the lower courts' denial of jury trials to public employees and their unions in criminal contempt proceedings under the Taylor Law, holding that the statutes do not grant such a right and that the denial does not violate equal protection. The opinion also rejected the defendants' constitutional arguments and noted the seriousness of the offenses does not require a jury trial. Justice Burke and Justice Keating dissented, arguing that the statutes do grant a right to a jury trial and that the denial violates equal protection.