Opinion: Police stops in NYC are at their highest level since 2015. The NYPD doesn’t want us to know just how high

Opinion: Police stops in NYC are at their highest level since 2015. The NYPD doesn’t want us to know just how high

As public defenders, we know that even low-level encounters impact New Yorkers’ core constitutional “right to be left alone.” Under the law, we have the right to refuse to answer questions or simply to leave these encounters. In reality, few people feel empowered to walk away from an armed police officer questioning them. 

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Opinion: Steve Cohen is putting community first

Opinion: Steve Cohen is putting community first

“No matter what, three new casinos are coming to New York City. And with sports betting apps always just a click away, it is clear that we need to find ways to address gambling addiction in not just our community but across the board. Steve Cohen and his team have directly engaged with us, and made it clear that they want to be our partners in finding solutions, which is more than can be said for any of the other proposed projects.”

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Opinion: Hochul’s bail plan undermines safety and progress

Opinion: Hochul’s bail plan undermines safety and progress

“Governor Kathy Hochul claims to care about the safety of our communities, but her lip service is going to cost people their lives. The governor is yet again holding the state budget hostage in order to push through harmful changes to New York’s bail laws.”

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