Filter Magazine: NYC Defenders: District Attorneys Breaking Their Promises to End Marijuana Prosecutions

“On June 11, New York City public defenders released data demonstrating that district attorneys are continuing to prosecute “low-level” marijuana offense cases⁠—even though they have publicly declared that they will discontinue doing so. Nearly 1,200 cases were brought in the first five months of 2019, according to their analysis.

A group of collaborating organizations⁠—the Legal Aid Society, the Bronx Defenders, Brooklyn Defender Services, New York County Defender Services and Neighborhood Defender Services Harlem⁠—has made aggregate caseload data publicly available. The figures show that Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance is pursuing the highest number of unlawful marijuana possession charges: 325 in the first five months of 2019. Meanwhile Bronx District Attorney Darcey Clark is prosecuting 42 percent of all fifth-degree possession cases being brought across the five boroughs.”

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