Fulfill the promise of Gideon!

ALBANY, NY (03/18/2013)(readMedia)-- New York must comply with the constitutional mandate that everyone has a right to a lawyer when accused of a crime, say legal advocates and leaders of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus.

Call for systemic reform of state's failed public defense system on the 50th anniversary of landmark Supreme Court ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright.

WHO:

Assemblyman Karim Camara, Caucus Chair; Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson; Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry

Seymour James, President, New York State Bar Association; Attorney in Charge, Criminal Practice, Legal Aid Society

Barry Scheck, Co-Director, The Innocence Project

Donna Lieberman, Executive Director, New York Civil Liberties Union

Justine Olderman, Managing Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice, The Bronx Defenders

Amanda Jack, Member 5Boro Defenders; Staff Attorney, Brooklyn Defender Services

Jonathan E. Gradess, Executive Director, New York State Defenders Association
WHAT:

News conference on the 50th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright. In 1963 the Supreme Court ruled that competent legal counsel must be provided to a person facing criminal charges who cannot afford a lawyer. The promise of Gideon is broken thousands of times every day.
WHEN: Monday March 18, 2013 at 12:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: LCA Press Room
Room 130
Legislative Office Bldg.
Albany, New York
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