Guyanese-American Justice Claudia Daniels-DePeyster seeks election to Brooklyn Supreme Court

By Jovani Davis (CNW)- After three years of serving as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Kings County, Guyanese-American Justice Claudia Daniels-DePeyster is seeking election to the same position — a move she says would allow her to continue serving the Brooklyn community with greater accountability and independence.

Justice Daniels-DePeyster was first appointed as a Criminal Court judge by former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2015 and was elevated to Acting Supreme Court Justice in 2022 for her strong performance on the Kings County bench.

Born and raised in Brooklyn to Guyanese parents, Daniels-DePeyster said she is “proud” of her Caribbean heritage and sees her candidacy as a reflection of community trust. “There is accountability to the community as an elected Supreme Court Justice,” she said, noting that elected judges serve 14-year terms and receive additional administrative support not afforded to appointed judges.

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A graduate of Midwood High School, the University of Buffalo, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, Daniels-DePeyster’s legal career spans more than two decades. Before joining the judiciary, she served in several capacities with the New York Police Department (NYPD), including as an agency attorney, managing attorney, and assistant deputy commissioner. During her tenure, she prosecuted police misconduct cases and supervised legal teams, experiences she said gave her “invaluable insight into the workings of the courts.”

As a judge, Daniels-DePeyster has presided over youth and felony cases, including Brooklyn’s Youth Part, where she helped young adults between ages 17 and 24 complete diversion programs and avoid criminal records. She continues to mentor youth by hosting courthouse tours, speaking at local schools, and connecting students with legal professionals to help them understand the law and its real-world consequences.

Earlier in her career, Daniels-DePeyster ran her own practice, handling real estate, housing, criminal defense, and family law cases — work she said taught her “the tremendous gravity” of cases that come before the court.

Beyond the bench, she remains deeply involved in community service. Daniels-DePeyster is a member of the St. Paul Community Baptist Church in East New York, where she serves as a prayer intercessor. She is also active in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Brooklyn Alumnae Chapter, where she mentors college students and contributes to scholarship programs.

Her professional affiliations include serving on the boards of the Judicial Friends Association, where she co-chairs the Community Service Committee, and the Metropolitan Black Bar Association. She is also a member of the National Bar Association-Judicial Council, the National Association of Women Judges, and the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.

Justice Daniels-DePeyster has been married to Christopher DePeyster for more than 30 years. They have two daughters: Sulema, a community historian, and Sohaula, a licensed therapist.