The Association monitors and comments upon legislation and regulations that impact on public defense representation. In responding to requests from executive, legislative and judicial branches, the Backup Center supplies data and legislative analysis on the public defense system. The Association is also called upon to testify before legislative and state advisory panels concerning the quality of public defense representation.
Remarks of Jonathan E. Gradess, Executive Director, New York State Defenders Association and New York State Defenders Justice Fund, Before the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee on 2011-2012 Executive Budget Proposal (February 9, 2011)
Remarks of Jonathan E. Gradess, Executive Director, New York State Defenders Association and New York State Defenders Justice Fund, Before the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee on 2010-2011 Executive Budget Proposal (February 8, 2010)
Testimony of Jonathan E. Gradess, Executive Director, New York State Defenders Association Before the NYS Senate Standing Committees on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, Judiciary, Codes, and Veterans and Military Affairs (Jan. 7, 2010)
Testimony Of Jonathan E. Gradess, Executive Director, New York State Defenders Association, Before The New York State Bar Association Task Force On Wrongful Convictions (February 24, 2009)
Remarks of Jonathan E. Gradess, Executive Director, New York State Defenders Association and New York State Defenders Justice Fund, Before the New York State Assembly Standing Committees on Codes, Judiciary, Governmental Operations, and Correction, Impact of the State Budget on Access to Justice (February 24, 2009)
Remarks of Jonathan E. Gradess Executive Director of the New York State Defenders Association Before the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees (January 27, 2009)
Remarks of Jonathan E. Gradess Executive Director of the New York State Defenders Association Before the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees (February 5, 2001)