Brooklyn Defenders
@bklyndefender.bsky.social
A public defense office that provides outstanding representation to people facing loss of freedom, family separation, & other serious legal harms. http://www.linktr.ee/bklyndefender
NY’s 2017 Raise the Age law stopped the practice of charging all 16- and 17-year-olds in adult criminal court. The data shows that treating children as adults does not make communities safer. We must protect Raise the Age and fight for full implementation: raisetheageny.org
December 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
NY’s 2017 Raise the Age law stopped the practice of charging all 16- and 17-year-olds in adult criminal court. The data shows that treating children as adults does not make communities safer. We must protect Raise the Age and fight for full implementation: raisetheageny.org
We’re proud to announce that BDS’ Senior Jail Services Attorney Michael Klinger has been appointed to Mayor-elect Mamdani’s Transition Committee on the Criminal Legal System. Michael brings extensive experience supporting people in NYC jails and advancing reforms.
December 1, 2025 at 8:44 PM
We’re proud to announce that BDS’ Senior Jail Services Attorney Michael Klinger has been appointed to Mayor-elect Mamdani’s Transition Committee on the Criminal Legal System. Michael brings extensive experience supporting people in NYC jails and advancing reforms.
This holiday season, we invite you to support BDS’ Holiday Toy Drive for families in Brooklyn and Queens. Donate through our wish list or make a cash contribution. Find both links in our bio. Thank you for your generosity!
November 25, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This holiday season, we invite you to support BDS’ Holiday Toy Drive for families in Brooklyn and Queens. Donate through our wish list or make a cash contribution. Find both links in our bio. Thank you for your generosity!
"Unlike previous surveillance methods, new digital tools allow law enforcement agencies to conduct surveillance persistently, universally, at an unimaginable scale. They can do so with no special permission, no oversight and no advance planning." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | What You Need to Know About Police Surveillance
New tools allow law enforcement agencies to track us at an unimaginable scale.
www.nytimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Unlike previous surveillance methods, new digital tools allow law enforcement agencies to conduct surveillance persistently, universally, at an unimaginable scale. They can do so with no special permission, no oversight and no advance planning." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Brooklyn Defenders
Interviewed a man ICE was able to keep in jail--despite a judge's orders to release him--under a federal reg so dubious that in the last 6 weeks alone, federal district judges have ruled 11 times that ICE had violated the Constitution through it.
Multiple judges have ruled that there’s little evidence that the Venezuelan man is a member of the notorious gang, but he remains in ICE custody nonetheless.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/12/i...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/12/i...
Detainee Accused of Tren de Aragua Affiliation Starts Hunger Strike
Multiple judges have ruled that there’s little evidence that the Venezuelan man is a member of the notorious gang, but he remains in ICE custody nonetheless.
www.thecity.nyc
September 12, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Interviewed a man ICE was able to keep in jail--despite a judge's orders to release him--under a federal reg so dubious that in the last 6 weeks alone, federal district judges have ruled 11 times that ICE had violated the Constitution through it.
Reposted by Brooklyn Defenders
Multiple judges have ruled that there’s little evidence that the Venezuelan man is a member of the notorious gang, but he remains in ICE custody nonetheless.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/12/i...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/12/i...
Detainee Accused of Tren de Aragua Affiliation Starts Hunger Strike
Multiple judges have ruled that there’s little evidence that the Venezuelan man is a member of the notorious gang, but he remains in ICE custody nonetheless.
www.thecity.nyc
September 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Multiple judges have ruled that there’s little evidence that the Venezuelan man is a member of the notorious gang, but he remains in ICE custody nonetheless.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/12/i...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/12/i...
“The counsel visits processes create barriers, and what may seem like inconveniences effectively cut off their clients from their own defense," Jail Services Attorney Michael Klinger testified how DOC's failures deny people their legal right to their attorneys.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/09/10/e...
www.nydailynews.com/2025/09/10/e...
Ex-judge on NYC jails board scolds Correction Department over Rikers lawyer-client visits
Former Judge Barry Cozier, who served 20 years on the bench, called the right to counsel “the most fundamental right a defendant has,” but said the Department of Correction has been fal…
www.nydailynews.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
“The counsel visits processes create barriers, and what may seem like inconveniences effectively cut off their clients from their own defense," Jail Services Attorney Michael Klinger testified how DOC's failures deny people their legal right to their attorneys.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/09/10/e...
www.nydailynews.com/2025/09/10/e...
“What may seem like inconveniences for us as visitors are, in fact, denials of a constitutional right.”
Public defenders testified yesterday about systemic failures that deny New Yorkers incarcerated at Rikers their right to meet with their attorneys.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/09/r...
Public defenders testified yesterday about systemic failures that deny New Yorkers incarcerated at Rikers their right to meet with their attorneys.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/09/r...
Rikers Jail Brass Block Lawyers from Clients, Public Defenders Warn Board
Defense lawyers testified that systemic failures deny thousands of jailed New Yorkers their constitutional right to meet with attorneys as deaths in custody continue to climb.
www.thecity.nyc
September 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“What may seem like inconveniences for us as visitors are, in fact, denials of a constitutional right.”
Public defenders testified yesterday about systemic failures that deny New Yorkers incarcerated at Rikers their right to meet with their attorneys.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/09/r...
Public defenders testified yesterday about systemic failures that deny New Yorkers incarcerated at Rikers their right to meet with their attorneys.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/09/r...
Reposted by Brooklyn Defenders
🎉 BIG NEWS: Prison phone calls in New York will be FREE as of August 1!
With this change, families with loved ones incarcerated in NY prisons can expect to save an $13 million annually — money that too often comes at the expense of groceries, rent, & family stability.
💡 tinyurl.com/mvc5w26v
With this change, families with loved ones incarcerated in NY prisons can expect to save an $13 million annually — money that too often comes at the expense of groceries, rent, & family stability.
💡 tinyurl.com/mvc5w26v
Prisoners’ Phone Calls Will Soon Be Free in New York State
The move will save the loved ones of the state’s more than 30,000 prisoners over $13 million a year, advocates say.
tinyurl.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:19 PM
🎉 BIG NEWS: Prison phone calls in New York will be FREE as of August 1!
With this change, families with loved ones incarcerated in NY prisons can expect to save an $13 million annually — money that too often comes at the expense of groceries, rent, & family stability.
💡 tinyurl.com/mvc5w26v
With this change, families with loved ones incarcerated in NY prisons can expect to save an $13 million annually — money that too often comes at the expense of groceries, rent, & family stability.
💡 tinyurl.com/mvc5w26v
This is a huge victory and a major step towards putting an end to the financial burdens on families impacted by the criminal legal system!
Next step: pass the End Predatory Court Fees Act to put an end to mandatory fines and fees and the criminalization of court debt.
Next step: pass the End Predatory Court Fees Act to put an end to mandatory fines and fees and the criminalization of court debt.
BREAKING HUGE WIN! 🚨 New York just announced that phone calls will soon be FREE in New York prisons, bringing around $13 million in relief annually to incarcerated people and their families. The new policy is expected to go into effect on August 1st. Spread the news!
July 22, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This is a huge victory and a major step towards putting an end to the financial burdens on families impacted by the criminal legal system!
Next step: pass the End Predatory Court Fees Act to put an end to mandatory fines and fees and the criminalization of court debt.
Next step: pass the End Predatory Court Fees Act to put an end to mandatory fines and fees and the criminalization of court debt.
Solitary confinement inflicts needless suffering, causes lasting trauma, and further destabilizes DOC’s already chaotic and violent jails.
The court's ruling to uphold the NYC Council's ban on solitary is a victory.
Joint statement: bds.org/latest/new-y...
The court's ruling to uphold the NYC Council's ban on solitary is a victory.
Joint statement: bds.org/latest/new-y...
New York City Public Defenders Applaud Court Decision Upholding the…
The Bronx Defenders, Brooklyn Defender Services, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, and New York County Defender Services— represented by pro bono counsel Selendy Gay PLLC — commend Monday’s New...
bds.org
July 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Solitary confinement inflicts needless suffering, causes lasting trauma, and further destabilizes DOC’s already chaotic and violent jails.
The court's ruling to uphold the NYC Council's ban on solitary is a victory.
Joint statement: bds.org/latest/new-y...
The court's ruling to uphold the NYC Council's ban on solitary is a victory.
Joint statement: bds.org/latest/new-y...
Introducing Brooklyn Defenders’ Queens Office.
After 29 years of experience and expertise serving Brooklyn, we are proud to bring the same dedication and excellence to Queens.
Read our full statement here: bds.org/latest/brook...
After 29 years of experience and expertise serving Brooklyn, we are proud to bring the same dedication and excellence to Queens.
Read our full statement here: bds.org/latest/brook...
Brooklyn Defender Services Announces Official Opening of Criminal…
Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) today announced that, as of July 1st, 2025, it has officially assumed the responsibilities of the criminal defense contract previously held by Queens Defenders with th...
bds.org
July 1, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Introducing Brooklyn Defenders’ Queens Office.
After 29 years of experience and expertise serving Brooklyn, we are proud to bring the same dedication and excellence to Queens.
Read our full statement here: bds.org/latest/brook...
After 29 years of experience and expertise serving Brooklyn, we are proud to bring the same dedication and excellence to Queens.
Read our full statement here: bds.org/latest/brook...
Reposted by Brooklyn Defenders
NEW: The New York State Legislature passed a bill banning anonymous complaints to the state child abuse hotline. The change comes in the wake of a 2023 ProPublica investigation that showed how the hotline had been weaponized by people endlessly calling in baseless allegations against exes or rivals.
New York Bans Anonymous Child Welfare Reports
New legislation will require callers to the state child abuse hotline to identify themselves. ProPublica’s reporting in 2023 found that many anonymous callers made false allegations that led to intrus...
www.propublica.org
June 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
NEW: The New York State Legislature passed a bill banning anonymous complaints to the state child abuse hotline. The change comes in the wake of a 2023 ProPublica investigation that showed how the hotline had been weaponized by people endlessly calling in baseless allegations against exes or rivals.
Thousands of families each year experience invasive investigations at the hands of family policing agents because an anonymous caller made a false allegation to the SCR hotline.
Last week, New York passed a bill to end these anonymous calls. www.propublica.org/article/new-...
Last week, New York passed a bill to end these anonymous calls. www.propublica.org/article/new-...
New York Bans Anonymous Child Welfare Reports
New legislation will require callers to the state child abuse hotline to identify themselves. ProPublica’s reporting in 2023 found that many anonymous callers made false allegations that led to intrus...
www.propublica.org
June 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Thousands of families each year experience invasive investigations at the hands of family policing agents because an anonymous caller made a false allegation to the SCR hotline.
Last week, New York passed a bill to end these anonymous calls. www.propublica.org/article/new-...
Last week, New York passed a bill to end these anonymous calls. www.propublica.org/article/new-...
The NYS Assembly just passed the Anti-Harassment in Reporting Act!
This critical legislation will reduce false & malicious reports of abuse and neglect made by anonymous callers to New York’s State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. More: bds.org/latest/paren...
This critical legislation will reduce false & malicious reports of abuse and neglect made by anonymous callers to New York’s State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. More: bds.org/latest/paren...
Parents, Public Defenders, and Advocates Hail Passage of the…
Today, the New York State Assembly passed the Anti-Harassment in Reporting Act, which would reduce false and malicious reports of abuse and neglect made by anonymous callers to New York’s State Centra...
bds.org
June 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The NYS Assembly just passed the Anti-Harassment in Reporting Act!
This critical legislation will reduce false & malicious reports of abuse and neglect made by anonymous callers to New York’s State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. More: bds.org/latest/paren...
This critical legislation will reduce false & malicious reports of abuse and neglect made by anonymous callers to New York’s State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. More: bds.org/latest/paren...
Reposted by Brooklyn Defenders
"New York City can reverse its over-spending on child welfare and under-investment in families."
FPP's director on critical legislation and investment to protect families 50 years after the @nydailynews.com groundbreaking expose of NYC child welfare.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/18/b...
FPP's director on critical legislation and investment to protect families 50 years after the @nydailynews.com groundbreaking expose of NYC child welfare.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/18/b...
‘Big Money, Little Victims’ 50 years on
The Daily News investigative series “Big Money, Little Victims,” published 50 years ago, set in motion a cascade of city actions, philanthropic investment and advocacy that changed the course of ch…
www.nydailynews.com
May 18, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"New York City can reverse its over-spending on child welfare and under-investment in families."
FPP's director on critical legislation and investment to protect families 50 years after the @nydailynews.com groundbreaking expose of NYC child welfare.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/18/b...
FPP's director on critical legislation and investment to protect families 50 years after the @nydailynews.com groundbreaking expose of NYC child welfare.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/18/b...
Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their community and to live without the fear of separation from their family.
We say to our lawmakers: the time to act is NOW, we must pass #NY4All to protect our communities. nyic.me/NY4All
We say to our lawmakers: the time to act is NOW, we must pass #NY4All to protect our communities. nyic.me/NY4All
April 30, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their community and to live without the fear of separation from their family.
We say to our lawmakers: the time to act is NOW, we must pass #NY4All to protect our communities. nyic.me/NY4All
We say to our lawmakers: the time to act is NOW, we must pass #NY4All to protect our communities. nyic.me/NY4All
Youth justice can’t wait.
Join BDS & the #YouthJusticeAndOpportunitiesAct Campaign for a press conference & teach-in led by youth, defenders, & community organizations to learn and take action together.
Sat. May 3, 12p -2p in Brentwood, NY.
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Join BDS & the #YouthJusticeAndOpportunitiesAct Campaign for a press conference & teach-in led by youth, defenders, & community organizations to learn and take action together.
Sat. May 3, 12p -2p in Brentwood, NY.
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
April 23, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Youth justice can’t wait.
Join BDS & the #YouthJusticeAndOpportunitiesAct Campaign for a press conference & teach-in led by youth, defenders, & community organizations to learn and take action together.
Sat. May 3, 12p -2p in Brentwood, NY.
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Join BDS & the #YouthJusticeAndOpportunitiesAct Campaign for a press conference & teach-in led by youth, defenders, & community organizations to learn and take action together.
Sat. May 3, 12p -2p in Brentwood, NY.
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
A new report found that despite making up just 48% of NYC's population, Black and Latine New Yorkers accounted for 81% of ACS investigations.
Every day, families are targeted and torn apart by a system rife with racism that conflates poverty with neglect.
Read more: gothamist.com/news/lawyers...
Every day, families are targeted and torn apart by a system rife with racism that conflates poverty with neglect.
Read more: gothamist.com/news/lawyers...
Lawyers find 'overpolicing' of Black, Hispanic parents in NYC child welfare investigations
A new report finds that low-income Black and Hispanic New Yorkers are disproportionately targeted in child welfare investigations, with long-term financial implications for those under scrutiny.
gothamist.com
April 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
A new report found that despite making up just 48% of NYC's population, Black and Latine New Yorkers accounted for 81% of ACS investigations.
Every day, families are targeted and torn apart by a system rife with racism that conflates poverty with neglect.
Read more: gothamist.com/news/lawyers...
Every day, families are targeted and torn apart by a system rife with racism that conflates poverty with neglect.
Read more: gothamist.com/news/lawyers...
For decades, New York’s previous discovery statute was commonly known as the ‘Blindfold Law,’ as it allowed law enforcement to withhold evidence until the eve of trial, effectively "blindfolding" people accused of crimes and their attorneys.
April 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
For decades, New York’s previous discovery statute was commonly known as the ‘Blindfold Law,’ as it allowed law enforcement to withhold evidence until the eve of trial, effectively "blindfolding" people accused of crimes and their attorneys.
Reposted by Brooklyn Defenders
URGENT: New York is on the brink of a major rollback that could lead to more wrongful convictions.
Discovery reform — which helps prevent innocent people from incarceration — is under attack. And the process is happening behind closed doors. #ProtectKaliefsLaw
Discovery reform — which helps prevent innocent people from incarceration — is under attack. And the process is happening behind closed doors. #ProtectKaliefsLaw
April 16, 2025 at 6:43 PM
URGENT: New York is on the brink of a major rollback that could lead to more wrongful convictions.
Discovery reform — which helps prevent innocent people from incarceration — is under attack. And the process is happening behind closed doors. #ProtectKaliefsLaw
Discovery reform — which helps prevent innocent people from incarceration — is under attack. And the process is happening behind closed doors. #ProtectKaliefsLaw
JOIN US: We know families are safer together. Join parents, advocates, and attorneys in Albany on April 29th to call on the legislature to enact policies rooted in equity, support, & empowerment!
RSVP: bit.ly/familyadvoca...
RSVP: bit.ly/familyadvoca...
April 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
JOIN US: We know families are safer together. Join parents, advocates, and attorneys in Albany on April 29th to call on the legislature to enact policies rooted in equity, support, & empowerment!
RSVP: bit.ly/familyadvoca...
RSVP: bit.ly/familyadvoca...
***Press Release***
Brooklyn Defenders Condemns Executive Order to Establish ICE Office at Rikers Island
Full statement available here: bds.org/latest/brook...
Brooklyn Defenders Condemns Executive Order to Establish ICE Office at Rikers Island
Full statement available here: bds.org/latest/brook...
Brooklyn Defenders Condemns Executive Order to Establish ICE Office…
Yesterday, the Mayor’s Office signed an executive order that would authorize Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) and other federal law enforcement agencies to establish an office on Rikers Island. Brooklyn Defenders issued a statement in response.
bds.org
April 9, 2025 at 7:12 PM
***Press Release***
Brooklyn Defenders Condemns Executive Order to Establish ICE Office at Rikers Island
Full statement available here: bds.org/latest/brook...
Brooklyn Defenders Condemns Executive Order to Establish ICE Office at Rikers Island
Full statement available here: bds.org/latest/brook...
Reposted by Brooklyn Defenders
NEW: Bronx DA Darcel Clark gave faulty testimony to justify rolling back discovery laws, one of the last sticking points in state budget negotiations.
The mixup offers insight into a debate that has relied on prosecutors’ word against public defenders’.
The mixup offers insight into a debate that has relied on prosecutors’ word against public defenders’.
Court Records Undercut Bronx DA’s Testimony on Discovery Rollbacks
Hochul's proposed rollbacks are one of the last sticking points in this year’s budget negotiations. One prosecutor’s support rested on a faulty anecdote.
nysfocus.com
April 8, 2025 at 2:13 PM
NEW: Bronx DA Darcel Clark gave faulty testimony to justify rolling back discovery laws, one of the last sticking points in state budget negotiations.
The mixup offers insight into a debate that has relied on prosecutors’ word against public defenders’.
The mixup offers insight into a debate that has relied on prosecutors’ word against public defenders’.
"[Tisch] provided no evidence linking recidivism to discovery reform, nor any evidence to substantiate her claim that cases are being dismissed en masse based on technicalities."
#ProtectKaliefsLaw
#ProtectKaliefsLaw
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch keeps insisting that 5-year-old discovery law reforms are driving a recidivist crime wave, causing cases to be "dismissed en masse" on "technicalities."
It's a big claim, and one for which she has offered zero evidence.
hellgatenyc.com/tisch-cant-s...
It's a big claim, and one for which she has offered zero evidence.
hellgatenyc.com/tisch-cant-s...
NYPD Commissioner Tisch Is Lobbying Hard to Bring Back the System That Failed Kalief Browder. Her Argument Doesn’t Add Up
Tisch keeps blaming recidivism on discovery reform, but offers no evidence.
hellgatenyc.com
April 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM
"[Tisch] provided no evidence linking recidivism to discovery reform, nor any evidence to substantiate her claim that cases are being dismissed en masse based on technicalities."
#ProtectKaliefsLaw
#ProtectKaliefsLaw