• Breaking News and Updates

• Public Defenders Often Are Just As Effective As Private Counsel, Study Says, ABA Journal Law News Now (US), August 25, 2010. (See Public Defense for more information.)

• DAs Urged To Require DNA Sample In Every Plea Bargain, DCJS Press Release (NY), August 19, 2010. (See DNA for more information.)

• Judge Grants Habeas, Finds Lawyer's Failure Prejudiced Client, New York Law Journal (EDNY), August 18, 2010. (See Courts Federal for more information.)

• Language Access For Public Defense Clients, NLADA (US), August 17, 2010. (See Defense News for more information.)

Ignition Interlock Devices and Leandra’s Law

In light of the passage of Leandra’s Law (Chp 496, L. 2009), NYSDA has collected the primary resources that the defense community will need to understand the new ignition interlock requirements. For more information click on this Hot Topics page: Ignition Interlock Devices and Leandra’s Law

NYS Establishes Board and Office of Indigent Defense Services

The New York State Legislature has passed, and Governor David Paterson has signed, a provision adding a new article 30, “Indigent Legal Services,” to the Executive Law. The provision, which also amends State Finance Law §98-b and County Law §722(3), is found in Part E of the Public Protection budget, chapter 56 of the Laws of 2010.

The legislation creates an Office of Indigent Legal Services and a nine-member Indigent Legal Services Board in the Executive Branch. The purpose of the Office and Board is to monitor, study, and make efforts to improve the quality of services provided under County Law article 18-B (which covers public defenders, legal aid offices, assigned counsel, and, now, conflict offices, and includes Family Court representation.) The Office will make recommendations about distribution of state funds to localities for public defense, and the Board will make the final decision on those recommendations.

Hurrell-Harring v. State of New York, No. 66 (NY May 6, 2010) (reinstates NYCLU complaint in suit challenging as unconstitutional deficiencies in the public defense systems in five counties).

Capital Profile: Jay Coleman [NYSDA Client Advisory Board Chair], Albany Times Union (NY), April 12, 2010

Recommendations Regarding the Chief Administrator’s Implementation of Caseload Standards for New York City Published in March 2010

NYSDA's paper, here (646K PDF), details the many factors that must be considered in determining what constitutes an excessive workload.

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.

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