Policy Advocacy
Shrinking the legal system and building
something better in its place
Overview
Policy advocacy starts with people. At the Bronx Defenders, every policy fight is rooted in the real-life experiences of the people we serve. Every day, the people we represent confront the harms of systemic injustice and their stories guide our vision for what must change. Our policy team works hand in hand with our legal practices and community organizers to push for laws and policies that reflect the realities, resilience, and priorities of Bronx residents.
We fight to dismantle the legal systems that harm our communities. Our goal extends past efficient court rooms – it is about ensuring fewer people are pulled into them. That means advising elected officials on legislation, leading coalitions, holding government accountable at every level, and testifying at hearings. We challenge policies and the narratives behind them, that criminalize poverty, identity, and immigration status. Our values are clear: justice and safety must be defined by community, equity and dignity, not punishment.
Our Approach
Our approach to policy advocacy is rooted in the belief that public policy should be borne from the people closest to the issues. We translate the daily injustices faced by the people we represent into statewide and local advocacy campaigns. Because when policy reflects the wisdom of directly impacted communities, it leads to better outcomes for everyone.
We don’t just advocate — we organize, we educate, and we build power. And we work in partnership with fellow public defenders, movement allies, and Bronx residents to shift resources away from punishment and toward true safety and support.
Our Priorities
Shrinking the Legal System. We work to dismantle systems of punishment and replace them with real investments in housing, health care, education, and community-based support.
Protecting the Future of Our Youth. We fight to keep young people out of the legal system entirely, so they can focus on school, community, and their dreams — not court dates.
Government Accountability. We push for transparency, oversight, and policies that rein in unchecked power — and make sure public systems answer to the people they serve.
Liberty and Justice for All. We advocate for laws that protect the rights and freedoms of all New Yorkers, regardless of income, background, or neighborhood.
Featured Wins
Recording All NYPD Stops (2024)
Years of organizing and advocacy led to the passage of the How Many Stops Act, requiring the NYPD to report every investigative stop they make — even those that don’t involve a frisk or search. The law has already brought long-overdue transparency to the racialized practice of stop-and-frisk in New York City.
Sealing Records, Unlocking Opportunity (2023)
We joined community leaders and directly impacted New Yorkers to pass the Clean Slate Act, which automatically seals certain conviction records after a waiting period. This landmark law removes barriers to employment, housing, and stability for thousands of New Yorkers.
Legalizing Cannabis & Repairing Harm (2021)
After a decade of advocacy that began with our Marijuana Arrest Project, we helped legalize adult-use cannabis through the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). We then founded the Bronx Cannabis Hub to ensure that people most harmed by past marijuana prohibition have access to new opportunities in the legal market.
Protecting All New Yorkers in Courts (2020)
We fought for and won the Protect Our Courts Act, which limits ICE’s ability to make civil arrests at or near state courthouses. This law ensures that all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, can fight for their freedom without risking detention or deportation.
Guaranteeing the Right to Evidence (2019)
We advocated for the passage of Kalief’s Law, named for Kalief Browder, which requires district attorneys to turn over all evidence related to a case, with enforceable deadlines and penalties for non-compliance. This change protects people from being held for months or years without knowing the evidence in their case, which led to wrongful convictions, coerced plea deals, and prolonged pre-trial detention.
Ending Wealth-Based Detention (2019)
Our creation of the Bronx Freedom Fund — the nation’s first charitable bail fund — helped inspire the passage of New York’s Bail Reform Laws, which eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. These reforms have reduced pretrial incarceration statewide and affirmed that freedom should never depend on someone’s income.
Keeping Kids Out of Adult Jails (2017)
After years of coalition work, we helped pass Raise the Age, ending the automatic prosecution of 16- and 17-year-olds as adults in New York. This law keeps more young people out of adult jails and courtrooms and steers them toward the support they deserve to ensure they can achieve their dreams.
Ending Anonymous Reporting of Families (2025)
We helped pass the Anti-Harassment in Reporting Act, which bans anonymous calls to New York’s family policing hotline and requires reporters to provide contact information, safeguarding families from malicious investigations while preserving confidentiality.