Public Defenders decry OCA decision to forge ahead in person
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“I'm less effective when I'm scared.”
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Queens lawyers walk out to condemn Rikers conditions
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“If somebody doesn't come to court the worst thing that happens is the warrant squad has to go find them and the worst thing that can happen to them if we lock them up before they're ever convicted is they can die.”
Read MoreQueens public defender group votes to unionize
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The NLRB certified the results of the union vote by Queens Defenders staff Thursday.
Read MoreQueens Defenders won't recognize staff union, setting up lengthy legal process
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A majority of workers signed union cards Dec. 16.
Read MoreAttorneys and social workers vote to unionize Queens public defender agency
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“The goal is to preserve health and safety at this time — better working conditions, fair representation and a higher standard of representation.”
Read MorePublic defenders warn of another Rikers Island COVID crisis
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“A resurgence of COVID-19 in the jails is imminent.”
Read MoreNYC public defenders threaten to sue state to stop in-person criminal proceedings
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“The ADA does not permit OCA to force attorneys to choose between risking their health or being removed from representing their clients.”
Read MorePublic defender groups say court opening plan endangers clients and staff
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“We strongly oppose re-opening of the Supreme Court because it is not safe and it is not essential to do so.”
Read MorePublic defenders pack Black Lives Matter rally outside Queens Criminal Court
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Coordinated rallies took place at courthouses across NYC Monday.
Read MoreDe Blasio, Johnson agree on 2020 budget; will fund public defender pay parity
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Other features of the budget include $60 million toward retrofitting city government buildings for the city’s Green New Deal initiative and $5 million toward Vision Zero.
Read MorePublic defenders urge mayor to fund pay parity in video message
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“It’s an issue of value. So it’s valuing our clients. It’s valuing the people that do the work.”
Read MoreQueens leads NYC in marijuana cases, public defender data finds
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Queens accounts for more low-level weed prosecutions than Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island combined.
Read MorePublic defenders rally for pay parity with corporation counsel
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The council’s proposed budget included $15 million in funding to increase pay for public defenders.
Read MoreQueens DA Candidates Endorse Pay Parity For Public Defenders, Prosecutors with Corporation Counsel
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“It is long past time for the city to pay the lawyers we fund to represent New Yorkers every day.”
Read MorePublic Defenders Get First Crack at Queens Murder Cases
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“The attorney handling the case, the investigator, the whole team has been able to get a head start.”
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