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.

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!

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

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 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...

We are devastated by the death of our client Sonia Reyes, who died at Rikers Island earlier today. We offer our sincere condolences to her loved ones and all who are affected by her passing.

Full statement:

Happy National Public Defender Day to all of our public defenders!

The Gideon V. Wainwright decision is foundational to our mission of providing representation and advocacy to people facing loss of freedom, family separation and other serious legal harms.

We applaud the legislature for rejecting the Governor's proposal to repeal New York's discovery laws in their one-house budgets.

This proposal threatens to send us back to the days of the ‘Blindfold Law’ that left people in the dark and contributed to wrongful convictions.

We’re in Albany today to urge lawmakers to #ProtectKaliefsLaw. Governor Hochul's dangerous proposal will return New York to the era of wrongful convictions, prolonged pretrial incarceration, and coerced pleas. Join the fight at protectkaliefslaw.com

JOIN US: New York families deserve policies rooted in equity, support, & empowerment! Join parents, advocates, & attorneys in Albany on March 4th to call on the legislature to stand in defense of families.

RSVP: bit.ly/march4family...

Ahead of today's joint legislative budget hearing, we joined the Alliance to Protect Kalief's Law to urge the Legislature to uphold the constitutional promise of fairness & transparency by rejecting the Governor's proposal to roll back New York's common-sense & successful discovery laws. Statement:

Press Release: Brooklyn Defenders’ Statement on Proposed Legislation to Improve Efficiency in New York’s Discovery System

bds.org/latest/brook...

Help us raise $15,000 to cover exorbitant immigration application fees for our immigrant clients with a donation to our Critical Items Fund! fundraise.givesmart.com/form/b5cyyw?...

Exorbitant application fees keep immigrant New Yorkers from gaining lawful status, supporting their families, and living without fear of deportation. Your gift today can help provide direct assistance. Donate to our Critical Items Fund. See the link in our bio.