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New York County Defender Services remains committed to our clients during the COVID-19 emergency.

New York County Defender Services remains committed to our clients during the COVID-19 emergency. Like most businesses in New York State, our physical offices are currently closed, pursuant to Executive Order. Our staff are all working remotely and are available by phone or email during regular business hours (8:30 AM – 5:30 PM).

Contact information

You can reach our staff by calling 212.803.5100 and leaving a voicemail with your name and phone number. The voicemail box is checked regularly during business hours. You may also email adminstaff@nycds.org and they will direct your email to the appropriate staff member.

If you know the name of the person you seek, you can email them directly using the following format: to reach attorney Jane Doe, you would email jdoe@nycds.org (first initial last name @nycds.org).

Court information

All New York courts are now closed in most circumstances. Please contact your attorney to learn your new court date. If you do not know your attorney’s name, please call our general number or email adminstaff@nycds.org.

People who are arrested after March 25, 2020 will be arraigned via video. They will still be appointed a public defender to represent them who will fight for their release from detention. Our attorneys will continue to staff video arraignments.

Emergency applications, including applications for release from detention, are still being filed and litigated. Our attorneys continue to advocate for the release of all our incarcerated clients from New York City jails.

Media inquiries

If you are a member of the press, please email media@nycds.org with all media inquiries.