Gov’s cut to criminal public defense remains as budget deadline nears

Gov’s cut to criminal public defense remains as budget deadline nears

Governor Kathy Hochul may have reversed her plans to strip $100 million from a fund meant to pay for civil legal services in New York, but a similar proposal to take funds from an indigent defense attorney fund remains on the table as legislators and the governor head into the final week of negotiations over the state’s budget.

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Attorney general, NYCBA and public defenders call for Rikers receiver

Attorney general, NYCBA and public defenders call for Rikers receiver

The New York State attorney general, a top bar association, scores of public defense organizations, several former New York City officials and a criminal justice nonprofit all called on a federal judge to strip control over Rikers Island away from the city and hand it over to a court-appointed receiver. 

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'The War on Smoke Shops': Officials agree, illegal pot enforcement is needed, but how is it working?

'The War on Smoke Shops': Officials agree, illegal pot enforcement is needed, but how is it working?

Most officials agree – in order for the legal cannabis market to thrive, the unlicensed market must be tampered down. But enforcement of the unlicensed market has ruffled feathers on both sides of the issue – some have pushed for greater enforcement, while others say the current tactics mirror the enforcement of the failed war on drugs that marijuana legalization in New York State was aimed at rectifying.

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Three Eastern Queens NYPD officers cuffed for bribery racket

Three Eastern Queens NYPD officers cuffed for bribery racket

The three officers from the 105th Precinct got cash payments for tipping off a towing company to car crashes, feds say. In an unrelated incident, one of the officers also trafficked heroin.

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