New York State Defenders Association - NYSDA

11/11/2025

On this Veterans Day, the New York State Defenders Association and our Veterans Defense Program honor all those who have served this country.
To the public defense community:
We appreciate the strong advocacy you provide to your veteran clients. For many veterans, their service has led to invisible wounds, such as PTSD, that have played a role in needing your services. On Veterans Day, please take a moment to acknowledge your veteran clients and the sacrifices they have made to serve this country.
For those in the public defense community who are veterans, please know that your commitment, courage, and sacrifices are deeply appreciated. Your service has played an essential role in protecting our freedoms and ensuring the safety of our nation.
And a special thank you to the veterans on NYSDA's staff: Michael White, Amanda Luce, Yarelis Burgos, and Juan Sosa!

04/05/2025

We must protect Kalief’s Law.

An argument against proposed legislation reducing the amount of information that prosecutors are required to disclose.

04/05/2025

NYSDA proudly signed on to this statement.

Joint Statement of the Bar Associations Listed Below We, the undersigned bar associations, stand united in condemning the President’s orders […]

04/05/2025

Thank you for inviting our Veterans Defense Program to this amazing event! We are proud to help defend those who have defended us.

12/18/2024

Cheers to a year of learning and collaboration! Exciting training ahead in 2025!

Email from New York State Defenders Association Happy Holidays! Read about our recent programs. New York State Defenders Association December 2024 Training Newsletter Happy December! We hope that yo

08/23/2024

The New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) mourns the death of Dr. Alice P. Green, Executive Director of the Center for Law and Justice. Dr. Green brought her many skills and deep passion for equality and liberty in the broadest sense to a range of issues—and encouraged others to do all they could. She amplified her work by collaborating with a range of other organizations and individuals, to NYSDA’s benefit. She was a member of our Client Advisory Board for 15 years, a member of our Board of Directors for 2 years, and a mentor, friend, and colleague to so many of our staff over the years.

Thank you, Alice. Your memory will help us continue the fight against racism and inequity, and for fair and just treatment for all people.

05/21/2024

Commentary: Bipartisan bill to boost aid has support from prosecutors and public defenders alike.

11/06/2023

The New York State Defenders Association does not employ Victoria Ruiz nor does it have any legal authority over New York County Defender Services. The New York State Defenders Association has no power to remove this employee.

03/31/2023

Bail reform rollbacks must stop now. The Legislature needs to stand firm.

03/25/2023

Susan Bryant, executive director of the New York State Defenders Association, said a third of all cases that are handled by public defenders in New York are in Family Court, where highly consequential decisions are often made — including child removal and the termination of parental rights.

Bryant called those decisions often "devastating" and said the system has historically hurt low-income children and families of color the most.

"We have families that are separated for life," Bryant said. "We're asking for funding to make sure that defenders ... can get them services if that's what the families need, not put them into foster care."

Attorneys who represent low-income clients and children face mounting caseloads and a...

03/19/2023

NYSDA Reflects on Gideon at 60: From 0 to 60 in Public Defense—How Far Have We Come? On National Public Defense Day, NYSDA thanks defenders for all the work you do each day on behalf of your clients and the defense community!