On April 19, 2013, Lisa Beneventanto presented at The Center for Child Advocacy’s 8th Annual Conference, “The Forgotten Child: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Child Neglect” hosted by Montclair State University in New Jersey. Her presentation was part of a workshop entitled “Supporting Vulnerable Families: A Preventive Intervention.” Click here for more information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 18, 2013 Contact: Joanna Bernstein, The Bronx Defenders, 215-603-3113 or joannab@bronxdefenders.org South Bronx Residents, Elected Officials Demand End to Stop-and-Frisk Abuses and Discriminatory Policing Senator Gustavo Rivera, City Council members Melissa Mark-Viverito and Annabel Palma, and hundreds of community members call for reforms Bronx, NY – At a Bronx town hall…
The Bronx Defenders Organizing Project brings together clients, former clients, and community members to fight for justice and fairness in the South Bronx and beyond.
The right to a lawyer, regardless of whether you can afford it, has been a cornerstone of American justice for 50 years, ever since a landmark US Supreme Court ruling in 1963. But thousands of Americans–and New Yorkers—still can’t exercise that right. New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman discusses what our courts and politicians…
Eighteen years ago, Carlos Perez was playing with his two-year-old son on a South Bronx stoop when a group of police officers drove up and shouted, “Freeze!” Carlos was handcuffed, arrested, and charged with murdering a cab driver and a Fed-Ex worker in the Bronx. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to 50 years to…
David Berrios becomes an activist after a violent encounter with the police lands him in the hospital. Join David at our Bronx Town Hall on April 18th to change the NYPD: on.fb.me/YfcGnO Produced by Joanna Zuckerman Bernstein Music: Clips from Tutto Finito Jazz “Sol Nocturno 1”
The NYPD stopped, searched, and humiliated Angel Aviles and his wife last summer — for no reason. In this episode, Angel tells his story. He now advocates for police reform with the Bronx Defenders Organizing Project (www.bronxdefenders.org). Recording, editing, and production by Joanna Zuckerman Bernstein. Music by Brotmond, Cydonia Pianoversion.
Fifty years ago, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Gideon vs. Wainwright that criminal defendants have the constitutional right to legal representation, whether they can afford it or not. But today’s public defenders are overworked and underpaid, and the scales of justice still tilt heavily in favor of the wealthy. An organization in…
The Bronx Defenders’ Center for Holistic Defense selected six public defender offices in 2013 to receive training in holistic advocacy techniques. New York – The Bronx Defenders’ Center for Holistic Defense, in partnership with the Center for Court Innovation (CCI), chose six public defender offices to receive its Training & Technical Assistance Grant in 2013….
We have spearheaded a city-wide initiative to radically change the way judges set bail in New York. We have created teaching materials and conducted trainings for public defenders, private attorneys and judges on alternative forms of bail.
On March 18th, 2013, Robin Steinberg spoke about the Bronx Freedom Fund at Gideon’s 50th Anniversary Symposium at American University, Washington College of Law. Her remarks were part of a panel entitled “Gideon, Strickland, and the Right to Effective Representation.” Click here for more information
On March 18th, 2013, Justine Olderman made remarks about holistic defense at a news conference in Albany on the 50th Anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright. The statement was made in conjunction with other public defender organizations and political leaders with the theme: “On 50th Anniversary, Fulfill Gideon’s Promise.” For more information click here
Clients are at the center of our holistic practice, working alongside team members to ensure that their specific priorities and needs are being addressed seamlessly. Clients are advised and assisted on their varying legal and social issues by their advocates, but they are ultimately empowered to make the critical decisions that affect their lives and…
The Center for Holistic Defense is a national training resource center located at The Bronx Defenders and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.
This morning, our very own Christian Lassiter appeared live on HuffPost Live to talk about the Kimani Gray killing by the NYPD in Brooklyn last weekend. As you can see, Christian did a fabulous job in this very important and critical conversation about the NYPD’s campaign to target young Black and Latino men in low…
An innovative clearinghouse on the consequences of criminal proceedings, Reentry Net grew out of our role as a statewide expert in the field.
Privacy We have created this statement to demonstrate our firm commitment to your privacy. We do not collect personally identifying information about you when you visit our site, unless you choose to provide such information to us. Providing such information is strictly voluntary. This policy is your guide to how we will handle information we…
Our office, located in the South Bronx, is here to assist clients and community members with both legal and non-legal situations. In addition to representing Bronx residents in Criminal, Family, Housing, and Immigration Court, we host events, trainings and town halls on the important legal issues facing the Bronx community. If the police or ACS…
Defenders’ Academy is a unique CLE trial skills program for public defenders and private attorneys.
The Bronx Defenders employs a groundbreaking system of holistic defense to fight both the causes and consequences of involvement in the criminal and family justice systems. Located in the heart of the South Bronx, our office is committed to a client-centered approach where clients have seamless access to services to ensure that they not only…
Family Defense Attorneys represent parents accused of neglect and abuse charges in Bronx Family Court. Fighting against a system that is unfairly stacked against the poor and disparately targets people of color, Family Defense Attorneys defend their clients against allegations in court, fight to have children stay with their parents, and keep families together in…
Policy and Community Organizers expand the advocacy of The Bronx Defenders through outreach and legislative advocacy on the vital issues faced by our clients. Coordinating with clients, civil leaders and local and national organizations, Policy and Community Organizers ensure that holistic defense is both client-based and community-based.
Team Administrators, responsible for maintaining and updating thousands of client files and legal correspondence, are central to holistic client representation as they help keep team advocates organized and running smoothly as a cohesive unit.
Parent Advocates assist and support parents who have open Family Court cases and are at risk of having, or who have had, their children removed and placed into foster care. They provide a strong voice for parents, and advocate for clients with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and other social service agencies.
Legal Advocates assist clients in a variety of ways. Whether it is fighting for justice in administrative hearings, compiling documentation in anticipation of litigation, or recovering seized property, legal advocates stand by clients to assist them in navigating complex and often overwhelming systems.