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Breaking News
Judges Are Terrible at Distinguishing Good Science From Bad. It’s Time We Stopped Asking Them To Do It., Washington Post, Sept. 28, 2017
How We Can Make New York City’s Bail System Fairer Right Now, City & State New York, Sept. 27, 2017
A Massive Review of the Evidence Shows Letting People Out of Prison Doesn’t Increase Crime, Vox, Sept. 25, 2017
ProPublica Seeks Source Code for New York City’s Disputed DNA Software, ProPublica, Sept. 25, 2017
State Moves to Expand Access to Lawyers for Poor, Niagara Gazette, Sept. 23, 2017
Massachusetts Top Court Rules Field Sobriety Tests Not Definitive for Marijuana Impairment, Paper Chase (Jurist), Sept. 20, 2017
ASSOCIATION UPDATES
O'Brien to Take the Lead at NYSDA. On April 28, 2017, the Board of Directors selected Managing Attorney Charles F. O'Brien to replace Executor Director Jonathan E. Gradess, who is retiring later this year. Charlie, who has been at NYSDA's Backup Center for over 30 years and is thoroughly acquainted with every aspect of the Association's work, will be taking the helm at a critical time for public defense in New York State. The historic Hurrell-Harring settlement is in its second year of implementation; those settlement reforms were expanded statewide in the recently-passed state budget; a host of other changes are occurring that will affect public defense; and the need for further transformations in the justice system continues. NYSDA needs a leader well-versed in New York's public defense issues, well-respected both within NYSDA and by those in the disparate entities with which the Backup Center works, and committed to client-centered representation. Charlie possesses all these essential qualifications and many others, as noted in this news release. Congratulations, Charlie!
