STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK COUNTY DEFENDER SERVICES ON THE INCLUSION OF THE CHALLENGING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS ACT IN THE NYS SENATE ONE HOUSE BUDGET
Contact:
Lupe Todd-Medina
ltoddmedina@nycds.org
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK COUNTY DEFENDER SERVICES ON THE INCLUSION OF THE CHALLENGING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS ACT IN THE NYS SENATE ONE HOUSE BUDGET
MARCH 12, 2023 – (NEW YORK, NY) – Sergio De La Pava, Legal Director at New York County Defender Services, issued the following statement:
“New York County Defender Services is thrilled to see the inclusion of the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act, along with a $10 million appropriation for implementation, in the Senate One House budget. New York has a staggering wrongful convictions problem. This legislation will help address it by modernizing our post-conviction law to get in line with other states like Texas, North Carolina, and New Jersey. These states, unlike New York, have adapted to critical, data-driven findings in the field and we must do the same. We look forward to working with the legislature to bring this bill across the finish line and ensure greater justice for wrongfully convicted New Yorkers."
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New York County Defender Services is a public defense firm serving New York City’s most vulnerable communities since 1997. We zealously defend people accused of crimes in Manhattan’s Criminal and Supreme Courts, at no cost to the accused.