Author: BXD
BxD Testifies Before City Council Committees Regarding Rights to Succession in Public Housing
On October 24, 2017, Runa Rajagopal, Managing Director of The Bronx Defenders’ Civil Action Practice, presented written and oral testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Public Housing jointly with the Committee on Aging Oversight Hearing regarding the permanent addition of family members to a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) household and […]
The truth is, ‘broken windows’ policing incentivizes lies
“The lies officers tell to justify the unlawful stops, searches and questioning are a natural byproduct of this policing strategy. Once we see the root of the problem, the answer becomes obvious: The NYPD leadership needs to stop holding on to the myth that ‘broken windows’ policing is necessary to keep New York City safe […]
When Race Tips the Scales in Plea Bargaining
“If there are racial disparities in pleas in misdemeanor cases that lead to worse punishment of black people, it means a significant proportion of our criminal justice system is meting out punishment in a racially-biased manner.” —BxD’s Jenn Rolnick Borchetta and Alice Fontier on the stark racial disparities in plea bargaining that have devastating impacts […]
Bad Bail Practices and Immigration Policy Led To My Client’s Death At Rikers
Powerful op-ed by BxD’s Anisha Gupta for The Marshall Project on the death of her client Selmin Feratovic, who had been incarcerated for almost seven months on Rikers Island but had not been convicted of a single crime: “Selmin was killed by a system that overcharged him, incarcerated him, ignored him, and ultimately failed to protect […]
No Forfeiture-Database Backup With Millions on the Line, NYPD Admits
Courthouse News reports on the latest in BxD’s lawsuit challenging lack of transparency around NYPD property seizures and civil forfeitures. To read the full story, click here. To learn more about this litigation, visit our case page.
BxD’s Wesley Caines Interview with BronxNet TV’s “Today’s Verdict”
BxD’s Wesley Caines sits down with David Lesch of BronxNet TV’s “Today’s Verdict” to discuss New York’s new sealing law and our reentry work. Our comprehensive reentry legal services include reviews of criminal records, correction of criminal record errors, and collaboration with clients to obtain documentation (such as Certificates of Good Conduct) that can help reduce […]
BxD’s Sarah Deri Oshiro Speaks with Telemundo About NYIFUP
BxD’s Sarah Deri Oshiro, managing director of the Immigration Practice speaks with Telemundo about the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project and our work to keep immigrant families together. To watch the interview, click here.
BxD’s Justine Olderman Highlights Connection Between Broken Windows and False Police Testimony in Panel
October 3, 2017, New York – Justine Olderman, managing director of The Bronx Defenders, spoke at a panel entitled “Police Officer Testimony: A Quarter of a Century After the Mollen Commission.” The event was hosted by the New York City Bar Association. Participants included the police department’s deputy commissioner for legal matters, Lawrence Byrne, Harvard […]
Bronx Defenders Founder to Step Down as Executive Director
September 20, 2017, New York, NY —Bronx Defenders founder Robin Steinberg will step down as executive director at the end of this year, leaving the public defense office that she founded two decades ago. The announcement was made at the organization’s 20th anniversary gala last night, which was attended by over 300 supporters and hosted […]
Live in a Poor Neighborhood? Better Be a Perfect Parent.
Powerful op-ed by BxD’s Emma Ketteringham in the New York Times about poverty and the child-protection system: “For more than a decade, my colleagues at the Bronx Defenders and I have represented thousands of parents like Eline in child-protection proceedings. A majority of them have never abused a child. Yet child services charges them with “parental […]