N.Y. Pub. Off. Law § 16

§ 16. Qualifications of certain judicial officers in cities of the\nfirst class. A person shall be eligible for appointment to the office\nof magistrate, judge or justice of an inferior court of criminal\njurisdiction in a city of the first class, who shall at the time of such\nappointment be of full age, a citizen of the United States, a resident\nof the city, an attorney and counselor-at-law admitted to practice for\nthe period prescribed by special law, or in lieu thereof shall have been\na member of the legislature of the state for at least twelve consecutive\nyears, notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law\ninconsistent herewith.\n