New York State Bar Association President Claire P. Gutekunst issued the following statement about the criminal justice agenda outlined in Governor Cuomo’s State of the State message: “Enacting reforms that increase the age of criminal responsibility, avoid wrongful convictions and enhance the quality of indigent criminal legal defense services would represent major steps toward reforming our criminal … Continued

Governor Andrew Cuomo has vetoed a bill (S.8114 and A.10706) that would have required the State of New York to gradually assume the costs of providing constitutionally-mandated legal representation to indigent criminal defendants. The bill was approved by the state Legislature with unanimous, bipartisan support. It called for a seven-year phase-in of state assumption of … Continued

New York State Bar Association President Claire P. Gutekunst today urged Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill (S.8114) requiring the state government to assume, over a seven-year period, the costs of providing indigent criminal defense services, which are now financed by county governments. “This measure represents a major advance in providing quality legal representation … Continued

New York State Bar Association President Claire P. Gutekunst today sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo with the Association’s ratings for the seven candidates under consideration for associate judge of the New York State Court of Appeals. The Governor must designate his choice between January 1 and 15, 2017. The nominee then must be … Continued

There is “no reason to modify the forever wild clause” of the New York  State Constitution—which protects the state-owned Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks and the Catskills—concludes a report released today by the New York State Bar Association. After examining the historical record, the report concludes that fears—such as those that some groups expressed in … Continued

Eight New York City-area lawyers have been honored by the New York State Bar Association for their efforts in providing free legal services to indigent clients. As part of National Pro Bono Week, the lawyers received their awards at the New York City Civil Court at an Oct. 27 event at which the New York … Continued

A new website, sponsored by the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association, allows New Yorkers—who cannot afford a lawyer—to post legal questions online and have them answered by lawyers at no cost. “Free Legal Answers is an online version of a walk-in clinic, where low-income people with simple legal questions can … Continued

The New York State Bar Association mourns the death of Kenneth P. Thompson, who served as Brooklyn district attorney for nearly three years. “We are saddened by the passing of Kenneth Thompson, who reminded New Yorkers that the primary duty of the criminal justice system is not to convict, but to do justice,” said Association … Continued

Claire P. Gutekunst, president of the New York State Bar Association, has issued the following statement: “One of the most important and enduring principles in the U.S. Constitution is the right of every defendant facing criminal charges to have the assistance of counsel to present an effective defense. It is the duty and responsibility of … Continued

More than 550 attorneys and paralegals from across New York meet in Albany this week to discuss how best to assist low-income individuals with a wide range of legal issues, including immigration, foreclosure, domestic violence, government benefits and housing. The New York State Bar Association’s 2016 Legal Assistance Partnership Conference, titled “Justice Rising,” begins Wednesday … Continued