HAPPENING NOW: Anthony Martone, Queens Defenders Interim Executive Director & CEO, is testifying in front of the New York City Council Committee on Public Safety to request funding to bring public defender salaries in line with 2023's 110% increase to 18b assigned counsel. Watch live: https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/webcasts/ "We urge the City Council to fund a 25% salary increase for the critical work public defenders do for New York City’s residents who cannot afford an attorney. This increase would demonstrate the value of their work, the vital role they play in New York City’s justice system, and simultaneously support the retention of the high quality staff our organization spends years training and developing." (fb)

Queens Defenders is proud to be part of the Alliance to Protect Kalief’s Law. This past Monday we joined advocates across the state to call on Albany to protect discovery reform, because New York's discovery laws work! We thank Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson and Senator James Sanders Jr for meeting with our team about the crucial role discovery plays in protecting the basic rights of New Yorkers and preventing wrongful convictions. Join us by calling your representatives and urge them to protect your rights and prevent Governor Hochul's rollback on discovery. https://www.news10.com/news/ny-news/discovery-advocates-rally-against-propsed-hochul-rollback/ (fb)