Information Clearinghouse
NYSDA contracts with New YorkState to provide technical, automation, research and support services to county and state governments. NYSDA is an affiliate organization of the New York State Association of Counties. NYSDA's BackupCenter provides government officials with assistance on criminal justice and public defense issues, enabling counties to better evaluate the quality of their defense systems and the cost effective allocation of federal, state and county defense dollars. NYSDA's Social Science Research Unit is the only state level source of information for counties on public defender, assigned counsel and legal aid systems.
The BackupCenter maintains a clearinghouse of information essential to policy makers on issues such as alternatives to incarceration, assigned counsel fees, early entry of counsel, eligibility, expert services, funding, investigative services, monitoring, quality of representation, and training. Counties contact the BackupCenter for:
- Assistance in designing and maintaining public defender, legal aid and assigned counsel systems
- Statistical data and analyses of public defense systems
- Budget and caseload data
- Comparative salary data
- Performance guidelines and standards
- Attorney qualifications
- National and professional standards
- Methods to avoid municipal liability
- Information on case developments
- Training programs
Assessment of CountyPublic Defense Systems
NYSDA's BackupCenter provides free technical assistance to counties and makes recommendations to legislative bodies. NYSDA site visits have produced technical studies, model forms and other reports helpful to counties. For information about the various defense systems in place around New York, consult NYSDA's Structure of Public Defense Systems in New York State. (27K PDF)
Report on Eligibility
NYSDA completed a study of eligibility practices for appointed counsel entitled Determining Eligibility for Appointed Counsel in New YorkState: A Report from the PublicDefenseBackupCenter (1994). A copy of the full report with appendices for each county is available from the BackupCenter. The BackupCenter is presently working with counties to develop model eligibility procedures which will assure fiscal and quality controls on the delivery of services.
Technical Studies, Model Forms and Other Reports (1981-Present)
An Analysis of Violation Data in Allegany County 1980-1990
Assigned Counsel Fees in New York State: Time for a Change
The Crisis in Indigent Defense Funding: Testimony before the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants
Correction Law Section 606: The Unfulfilled Promise, A Report by the Public Defense Backup Center on the Legislative History of Correction Law, Section 606
The Deepening Crisis in the Indigent Parolee Representation Program: The Critical Need for Additional Funds
Defender Budgetary Request to Reduce Appellate Backlog and Delay
Determining Eligibility for Appointed Counsel in New York State: A Report from the Public Defense Backup Center
Eligibility for Public Defense Representation: The High Risks of Being Unable to Afford Counsel in New York State
Funding Crisis for Poor Defendants in New York State
Funding the Defense of the Poor: A Reformulation of the Governor's Proposal
Indigent Parolee Representation: A Mandate Unfulfilled; State Funding of Public Defense Programs: More Than a Decade of Disparity; NYSDA Public Defense Backup Center Outline of Proposed Cuts
Issue Paper: Recommended Enhancements for the Public Defense Backup Center FY 90-91 With Budget Narrative
Legislative Recommendations Prepared at the Request of the Office of the Director of Criminal Justice
Model Assigned Counsel Contract
Model Assigned Counsel Voucher, Voucher for compensation and expenses of appointed counsel pursuant to Section 722-c of the County Law
Model Public Defense System and The Model Defense Case, The Tools for the Professional Evaluation and Measurement of the Effective Assistance of Counsel in Local Practice
Model Questionnaire for Eligibility for the Appointment of Counsel and Eligibility Determination Worksheet (Proposed Draft)
New York State Appellate Backlog and Delay Program: A Call for the Restoration of Funds in the FY 90-91 Budget: $283,334
Proposal to Establish an Appellate Defender Office Covering the Third and Fourth Departments of New York State, Submitted to the National Legal Aid and Defender Association Appellate Defender Development Project
Prosecution/Defense Funding Disparity Charts
Public Defense Services in Clinton County: An Assessment of the Assigned Counsel System
Public Defense Services in Ontario County: A Study of the Assigned Counsel System
Public Defense Services in Schenectady County: An Assessment of the Assigned Counsel Program
A Report of the Proceedings of the First Chief Defender Convening in New York State
Standards for the Treatment of Crime Victims, Memorandum from Jonathan E. Gradess to Lawrence T. Kurlander, Director of Criminal Justice, and Sherrie McNulty, Counsel
The Use of Expert and Investigative Services in Defense of the Poor: A Primer for New York State
Public Defense Data Research Links
Federal Reports
New York
General
Statistics
Law Enforcement
Probation (Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives)
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