Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that he has nominated Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas to the state Court of Appeals to replace a retiring judge.

Singas would replace Judge Leslie Stein, who is retiring in June.

Singas has been the DA since November 2015.

"I am honored by the governor's nomination to serve on New York's highest court, and I look forward to the confirmation process," says Singas.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran says Singas will leave big shoes to fill in the district attorney's office.

"We need someone who is tough, who understands prosecution inside and out but also has a heart and is really good at making connections with the community," says Curran.

Fred Klein, a Hofstra law professor and a former Nassau assistant district attorney, says if confirmed to the Court of Appeals, Singas' decisions would impact New Yorkers far beyond the boundaries of Nassau County.

"The Supreme Court makes criminal procedure law constitutionally for the country, but New York state through the Court of Appeals has carved out exceptions to the Supreme Court cases, making more restrictions on the police and in the criminal justice area," says Klein. "So for people interested in social justice or criminal justice, the New York Court of Appeals is very important."

Honorable Anthony Cannataro was also nominated to the state Court of Appeals to fill the vacancy of Judge Paul Feinman, who died in March 2021.