Breaking News and Updates

• Judge Highlights His Discretion In Denial Of Drug Resentencing, New York Law Journal (Bronx), January 13, 2010. (See Rockefeller Drug Laws for more information.)

• Failure To Explore Alibi Defense Upsets Double-Murder Conviction, New York Law Journal (Westchester County), January 11, 2010. (See Courts NY for more information.)

• 'People v. Brown': One Expert Is Enough, New York Law Journal (NY), January 11, 2010. (See Practice Pointers for more information.)

• Overview Of The Ethical Issues Created By Specialty Courts And The Mentally Ill Client, Champion (US), November 2009. (See Mental Health for more information.)

Testimony Concerning Future of Civil Legal Services

NYSDA Executive Director Jonathan E. Gradess testified January 7, 2010 at a State Senate hearing on “IOLA and the Future of Civil Legal Services in New York State,” urging state support for civil legal services. To read his testimony, click here.

Public Defense Act of 2009 (S.6002/A.8793)  

Legislation entitled the Public Defense Act of 2009 has been introduced in both the Senate and Assembly. Read A.8793 here (102K PDF). It caps county fiscal liability for public defense services and establishes the Public Defense Commission to begin administering public defense services in New York State in 2012. The bill is moving though the Assembly with 84 Assembly members signed on. It was voted out of the Judiciary Committee on June 15th and out of the Codes Committee on June 16th. In the Senate, with 22 signed on, the bill has been referred to the Rules Committee. NYSDA has submitted a memorandum in support. Read it here (200K PDF). Further information on efforts to secure passage of S.6002/A.8793 is available on the Campaign for an Independent Public Defense Commission website and blog.

Rockefeller Drug Law Reform Legislation

On April 7th, the drug law reform bill (S.56-B/A.156-B) was signed into law (Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2009), as part of the budget legislation for 2009-2010. For more information, see Rockefeller Drug Law Reform Bill Summary (NYSDA April, 8, 2009)(124K PDF) and 2009 Rockefeller Drug Law Reform Sentencing Chart (CCA).

NYSDA Issues Report on ILSF Maintenance of Effort Provisions

Read the Backup Center’s “Analysis of the Indigent Legal Services Fund Maintenance of Effort Provisions” (March 2009) (2.2 MB PDF) here.
 

Backup Center Assistance

Public defense lawyers who need information or assistance can contact the Backup Center through our online Request Form.

Reentry Resource
For resources on reentry and the collateral
consequences of criminal convictions visit:
reentry.net ~ Four Cs