Act now to create an independent public defense system in NYS Although the
federal and state constitutions guarantee a right to counsel, the current system has failed to provide indigent defendants
with adequate legal representation. Each county maintains its own public defender system, and there is unevenness in quality
of services provided.
The New York State Catholic Conference supports the establishment of an Independent Public Defense
Commission to develop and oversee a uniform statewide public defender system.
Since 1965 each county in New York
State and the City of New York have been required to provide public defense representation at local expense. This system has
resulted in under-funded public defense, excessive caseloads and inadequate representation. In 2006 then-New York State Court
of Appeals Chief Judge Judith Kaye appointed the Commission on the Future of Indigent Defense Services, which conducted a
comprehensive study, recommending the establishment of a statewide, state-funded public defense system to be administered
by an independent public defense commission. The proposed system would establish and enforce uniform standards statewide.
It would make it possible for hard working public defenders to do the job that needs to be done.
The ensuring
of adequate legal representation for poor criminal defendants is necessary in actualizing our commitment to "justice
for all." Please go HERE to send an email message to your legislators and Gov. Paterson in support of this new statewide public defense system.
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