2026 New York General Election

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Kelvin Richards earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Affairs from the City University of New York-College of Staten Island (2004–2008). He subsequently earned his Juris Doctor from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Kelvin has a professional background in the legal services industry, specifically focusing on criminal defense. He has worked as a Staff Attorney for the Legal Aid Society in Staten Island, New York, since 2013. Prior to his current role, he served in several legal capacities in Minnesota, including as a Law Clerk for the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights and the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, a Certified Student Prosecutor for the Brooklyn Center City Attorney Office.

A June 2021 candidate questionnaire labels the respondent "Victor Kelvin Richards, Candidate for City Council (D)," documenting a prior bid for New York City Council District 49.

Candidate Profiles For Tuesday's Primary Election. Be An Informed Citizen And Vote!

Kelvin Richards was a candidate for City Council.

Has over a decade of experience practicing as a Staff Attorney and Criminal Defense Attorney with the Legal Aid Society.

- Has over a decade of experience practicing as a Staff Attorney and Criminal Defense Attorney with the Legal Aid Society.

Legal Experience

As of September 9, 2026, Kelvin Richards did not have a website or any information online.

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Kelvin Richards

As of September 9, 2026, Kelvin Richards’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Pinto received his law degree in 2013 from St. John’s University. Because he “truly never wanted to leave Wagner,” Pinto returned in 2014 to teach criminal justice and mock trial classes.

Wagner College Faculty & Alum Michael Pinto ’10 Wins Staten Island Civil Court Judgeship

Michael J. Pinto earned a law degree from St. John’s University.

Wagner College faculty, alum Michael Pinto '10 wins Staten Island ...

Michael earned a law degree from St. John’s University.

Outside of law, the government and politics major is also a fan of theater — he originally wanted to practice entertainment law. Pinto has kept that passion alive as the founder and executive director of the Minty Organization for the Performing Arts, which bestows annual awards for high school performing arts programs.

Michael J. Pinto is the founder and executive director of the Minty Organization for the Performing Arts. He also taught criminal justice and mock trial classes at Wagner College.

As of September 9, 2026, Michael J. Pinto did not have a website or any information online.

“That's really my guiding force as I entered this new role, not just to make the right decisions, but always to remember to stay humble and just do good,” Pinto said. “My emphasis is making sure that each party feels like they've had their day in court, and then applying the law as necessary to find the right outcome in the case.”

Said that each party should have their day in court before the law is applied to reach an outcome in a case.

- Said that each party should have their day in court before the law is applied to reach an outcome in a case.

Serves as founder and executive director of the Minty Organization for the Performing Arts, which gives annual awards to high school performing arts programs.

- Serves as founder and executive director of the Minty Organization for the Performing Arts, which gives annual awards to high school performing arts programs.

Michael J. Pinto

As of September 9, 2026, Michael J. Pinto’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- The  New York Supreme Court is the state-wide trial court with the broadest jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. However, it is not the state’s court of last resort.
- It can hear virtually any type of case brought before it, except for claims brought against the state which must be heard by the Court of Claims. Generally, it hears high-level criminal cases or civil cases with a judgment of more than $50,000.
- It is the only court that can grant divorce, annulment, and separation in New York.
- The New York Supreme Court is broken into 12 judicial districts state-wide. There are currently 154 justices authorized to sit in the New York City Supreme Court, but only 136 actually serve in Supreme Court trial parts because some of the justices are assigned to the Appellate Division or the Appellate Term.
- Justices of the Supreme Court are elected to serve 14-year terms and are paid a salary of $232,600.

A judge on your judicial district’s trial court which oversees criminal and civil matters. 

New York Supreme Court Judge, 13th District

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