Author: BXD
Silive: Public defenders denied in bid to halt in-person court appearances — for now
“By converting our request for temporary relief into a swift hearing on a more-permanent injunction, the order recognizes that the Criminal Court created an urgent problem when it suddenly decided to haul people in for needless appearances at great risk to the health and well-being of the public,” said Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, managing director of […]
News12 The Bronx: Public defenders, legal aides rally against reopening of courts, say it puts people at risk
“The New York City defenders were outside the Brooklyn Supreme Court saying the opening of the courts still put people at risk. They say a majority of the people this affects are people of color, with many of the legal workers being Black and Latino, but also a majority of their clients are minorities as […]
The Crime Report: U.S. Legal System Accused of Abetting Racism
“Fixing the flaws in the U.S. legal system “will take a lot more than prosecutors,” Wesley Caines, chief of staff at The Bronx Defenders, told a webinar convened to discuss innovative prosecutorial responses to violence Thursday. “Maybe it’s time for a constitutional convention,” he said.” Read the full article here
The Chief Leader: Public Defenders, Court-Officers Union Seek Delay in Courts’ Reopenings
“In this way, the Plan discriminates against people with disabilities who need sufficient notice to seek and receive accommodations or modifications prior to an appearance in order to obtain equal access to the court,” according to the lawsuit. In its filing, The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, New York County Defender […]
New York Law Journal: Federal Judge Denies Defenders’ Bid for Temporary Order to Pause New York City’s In-Person Court Proceedings
“U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter Jr. of the Southern District of New York on Friday denied the temporary restraining order requested by a group of New York City public defender organizations who say the planned expansion of in-person state court proceedings discriminates against persons with disabilities.” Read the full article here
Rise Magazine: ‘I Was Scared for Anyone to Know I Was Pregnant’ – How to Protect Against Removal at Birth
“Parents can be charged with so-called “derivative neglect” of a newborn if a previous child entered foster care. Here, Emma Ketteringham, managing director of The Bronx Defenders’ Family Defense Project, explains how pregnant parents can get support and protect their rights.” Read the full Q & A here
ABA Journal: New York City public defenders file suit to halt in-person court appearances
“The suit was filed by the Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, the Bronx Defenders, New York County Defender Services, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and Queens Defenders. The defendant is the New York State Office of Court Administration. Office of Court Administration spokesperson Lucian Chalfen told the Queens Daily Eagle that public defender groups […]
New York Daily News: Lawyers for indigent challenge ‘rushed and unnecessary’ reopening of NYC criminal courts for in-person hearings
Read the full article here
New York Law Journal: New York City Defenders Sue Court Administrators Alleging Reopening Is Causing Bias Against Disabled
“Public defender organizations launched a lawsuit Tuesday against The New York state court system, saying a criminal court plan to start in-person appearances discriminates against people with disabilities.” Read the full article here
Queens Daily Eagle: Public defenders sue state to stop in-person criminal proceedings during COVID crisis
“Until Monday, arraignments, case conferences and other criminal court proceedings were handled remotely, with defendants appearing by video conference since March. The plaintiffs include The Legal Aid Society, Queens Defenders, Brooklyn Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and New York county Defender Service. The organizations, which represent low-income defendants in criminal […]