Policy, Advocacy & Community Action

Our clients come to us in three different ways: through criminal court, family court, and our community walk-in program. While they come to us in different ways, what we have found is that the root causes of their involvement in the justice system are the same: poverty, substance and alcohol abuse, mental illness, family instability, and lack of access to critical support systems. Moreover, once in the justice system, they all face the same devastating collateral consequences: children removed from the home, eviction, termination of public benefits, deportation, and loss of employment. That is why The Bronx Defenders is committed to providing zealous, compassionate representation both inside and outside the courthouse. Our 135 person staff is made up of lawyers who specialize in criminal, family, immigration, housing, and employment law as well as social workers, parent advocates, investigators, civil advocates and team administrators. We work collaboratively to identify and address our clients’ needs, fight and achieve justice in their legal case, and protect them from the collateral harm that even a single day in the justice system can cause. At The Bronx Defenders, we are redefining public defense by ensuring that clients not only receive a legal defense, but a holistic one.