NYSDA Testimony Heard on Budget, Representation of Veterans

NYSDA performs functions that help the State fulfill its constitutional duty to provide effective legal representation, provide mandate relief, and further justice, Executive Director Jonathan E. Gradess explained at a joint legislative budget hearing on Jan. 30, 2012. For his testimony, click here. (PDF)

Gradess also testified at a Feb.29, 2012 hearing on "The Criminal Defense of New York's Veterans: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Veterans" held by the New York State Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. He sought funding for a NYSDA Military and Veterans Defense Project to reform and improve how the justice system handles cases in which past military experiences may have played a role. Read that testimony here (PDF).

Benefit Performance for IDP

A "Law and Disorder" performance by Labe Richmond, and a party, will be held on Mar. 29, 2012 to benefit the Immigrant Defense Project in NYC. For information, click here.

Board and Office of Indigent Legal Services

The Office of Indigent Legal Services and nine-member Indigent Legal Services Board created in Part E of the Public Protection budget (PDF), chapter 56 of the Laws of 2010 have a growing impact on public defense services in New York State. NYSDA works with the Office and with public defense providers across the state to improve the quality of public defense services.