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Fighting for Your Rights, One Client at a Time.

NYCDS is an elite public defense firm serving New York City’s most vulnerable communities since 1997.

Our skilled trial attorneys zealously defend people accused of crimes in Manhattan’s Criminal and Supreme Courts, at no cost to the accused.

NYCDS fights fiercely for low-income New Yorkers, inside the courtroom and out.

From juvenile defense to social work, we’ve expanded our toolset to better confront the myriad causes of criminal legal system involvement. Our special units include:

Our staff also boasts senior attorney specialists with significant issue-area expertise who practice in Manhattan’s specialty problem-solving courts, focusing on mental health, veterans’ treatment, and integrated domestic violence.