Vote Schenectady Democrats
Judge Carl Falotico
Candidate for NY Supreme Court – 4th Judicial District
Judge Carl Falotico’s professional journey is marked by a steadfast dedication to justice and community service. With an impressive background in law and a commitment to improving Schenectady, Carl’s contributions have left a lasting impact on the city’s legal landscape and its residents.
Beginning his legal career at the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, Carl honed his skills by prosecuting cases in Schenectady City Court. His capacity to manage a demanding caseload of over 600 cases while serving as the lead prosecutor for numerous trials and hearings demonstrated his proficiency and dedication to upholding justice.
Carl’s impact extended to the Special Victims Unit, where he took on the role of prosecuting domestic violence and sex crime felonies, becoming the only male staff member handling these sensitive cases. His commitment to the well-being of the community led him to participate in the Domestic Abuse Response Team and serve as a prosecutor for the Integrated Domestic Violence Court. He also collaborated with the Child Advocacy Center to enhance the handling of cases involving child victims.
After his election in 2011, Carl accepted Mayor McCarthy’s offer to work for him at City Hall, and took a position in the Law Department. He was soon promoted to Deputy Corporation Counsel, and then to Corporation Counsel in 2014. As the chief legal officer for Schenectady, Carl oversaw a myriad of legal matters, from multimillion-dollar lawsuits to city ordinance prosecutions. His initiatives resulted in concrete improvements, such as compelling absentee landlords to address property concerns, removing unsafe animals from the streets, and shutting down dangerous convenience stores. Carl’s approach, characterized by fairness and impartiality, earned him a reputation for honesty and integrity among elected officials and community leaders alike.
In 2019, Carl was elected to the position of City Court Judge, and he assumed office on January 1st, 2020, following Judge Loyola’s retirement. In that role, he presides over a caseload of hundreds of complex criminal and civil cases. Defendants charged with the most serious of felonies, such as murder, weapon possession, and burglary, routinely appear in front of him. He also presides over the Schenectady City Alternative Treatment Court, which gives help and support to defendants throughout Schenectady who commit crimes due to their mental illnesses, but want to turn their lives around. Judge Falotico considers himself tough, but fair, and takes pride in rendering prompt and informed decisions to all those who come before him.
Beyond his professional career, Carl’s devotion to public service is matched by his dedication to community enrichment. After leaving the District Attorney’s Office, he volunteered with The Legal Project, representing indigent victims of domestic violence in Family Court. His involvement as Treasurer of the Schenectady City Industrial Development Agency’s Board of Directors for eight years showcased his commitment to enhancing the city’s economic development landscape. Additionally, Carl’s passion for education saw him teach legal courses at SUNY Schenectady, coach mock trial teams, and judge moot court competitions at Albany Law School. Most recently, he has taken on the role of little league baseball coach, which was a fun and rewarding experience.
Carl Falotico lives in Schenectady with his wife, Jackie Falotico, their two children, and their rescue dog, Oscar.