NYSACDL | New York State Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

NYSACDL Resolution Regarding The City of New York’s

Request for Proposals for Indigent Criminal Defense Services
As passed by the NYSACDL Board of Directors,

Albany, New York, March 6, 2010

NYSACDL unanimously resolves:

A strong and independent defense bar is an integral component of New York’s delivery of indigent defense services. From Hamilton’s defense of John Peter Zenger, to John Adams’ impassioned defense of the British soldiers after the Boston massacre to Clarence Darrow’s defense of Leopold and Loeb, the criminal defense bar has been indispensable to the effectiveness of our nation’s criminal justice system. As New York’s largest criminal defense bar association, NYSACDL strongly opposes any effort by New York City to reduce the articipation of private lawyers in the defense of New York’s less fortunate. The implementation of New York City’s Request for Proposal potentially undermines the right to counsel announced by the Supreme Court of the United States in Gideon v.Wainwright in 1963.

NYSACDL vigorously urges the New York Legislature to adequately fund our state’s criminal
defense system to comply with the mandate of Gideon.

---------------------------------------------------

2010 CLE AROUND NEW YORK

MARCH 20 -BUFFALO: DWI 4 Hrs Skills

APRIL 23 - BROOKLYN: CROSS TO KILL featuring 6 CLE hours in Skills

APRIL 17 - SYRACUSE: ANNUAL SYRACUSE TRAINER

SEPTEMBER - MANHATTAN: FEDERAL PRACTICE UPDATE

OCTOBER - BROOKLYN: WEAPONS FOR THE FIREFIGHT

FALL - ROCHESTER: DNA TRAINER

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

NYSACDL annual membership runs for the calendar year. Please take a moment to Join or Renew now by clicking on the Join link above. E-mail Executive Director Margaret Alverson at malverson@nysacdl.com with questions.

______________________________________

NYSACDL OFFERS "TWELVE ANGRY MEN SCHOLARSHIP" TO THE ANNUAL TRIAL PRACTICE INSTITUTE IN MACON, GEORGIA. NYSACDL Members in good standing who have been accepted at the Trial Practice Institute are eligible to apply for the scholarship. DETAILS . . .

________________________________________

NYSACDL WELCOMES 2010 PRESIDENT GEORGE R. GOLTZER

George R. Goltzer, Esq., of Manhattan was sworn in as President for 2010 at the NYSACDL Annual Dinner on January 28. Congratulations to George, and to out-going President Craig Schlanger of Syracuse, thank you for an excellent year of service to our members and the Association.

________________________________________

IN MEMORIAM JACK T. LITMAN 1943 - 2010

NYSACDL is saddened by the loss on Janaury 23 of Jack Litman, NYSACDL Past-President, one of the original "Twelve Angry Men" who endowed a scholarship fund for the annual National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia, recipient of the NYSACDL Lifetime Achievement Award and the Honorable Thurgood S. Marshall Award for Outstanding Practitioner. Respected by the bench, admired by colleagues and loved by family and friends, Jack Litman epitomized the practice of law and the art of criminal defense. A zealous advocate, legal scholar and good friend, Jack will be sorely missed by all.

NYSACDL Backs Expungement Legislation - Post Conviction Sealing Hotline: 1-888-898-0700 X161
NYSACDL is collecting stories from people who have been adversely affected by an old conviction to support legislation providing for sealing of criminal records in certain situations. Please join this effort by passing along the HOTLINE INFORMATION and by reaching out to affected individuals who may have a story they are willing to contribute. Affected persons are invited to call the HOTLINE and tell their stories. Callers may remain anonymous. The HOTLINE NUMBER IS LISTED ABOVE. for more information, please click here.

INFORMATION ON HAITIAN RELIEF ASSISTANCE

Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relied Fund: https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=197&hbc=1?ref=main-menu

American Red Cross:  http://www.redcross.org/

UNICEF:  http://www.unicefusa.org/?gclid=CLye0vyWqZ8CFWkN5Qodrxrk1Q

White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake

________________________________

This year, NYSACDL presents the Gideon Award to the team of WilmerHale attorneys whose pro bono work resulted in the vactur of conviction and release of Dewey Bozella who spent over 25 years in prison on a wrongful conviction for murder. The Court's decision to set aside the conviction is based upon the non-disclosure of exculpatory information. Read the decision

The New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the largest private criminal bar association in New York State. We are dedicated to assuring the protection of individual rights and liberties for all. We are responsive to the needs of private practitioners and public defenders and are committed to the fair administration of criminal justice and the zealous defense of individuals accused of crime. We endeavor to provide the highest quality legal representation to assure Liberty and Justice for all.