Brooklyn Defenders

Shotspotter doesn't work. It fails to make our communities safer, at the expense of increased surveillance & policing of Black and Latine neighborhoods and $54M dollars. We spoke with @HellGateNY about our new report analyzing 9 years of NYPD data: hellgatenyc.com/nypd-shotspott…

Youth incarceration is not simply a justice issue; it is a public health crisis. A new op-ed from José Perez of @ChildDefender and Reggie Chatman of @thefortunesoc explains why we need the Youth Justice & Opportunities Act now. imprintnews.org/opinion/youth-…

BREAKING: We’re suing New York over unlawful delays adjudicating SCR appeals that leave parents unable to work or care for family. Nearly 70% ultimately prevail—but many wait over a year. The SCR is a shadow criminal record. Not child safety. bds.org/assets/files/S…

TAKE ACTION: Families are safer together. Join us in Albany on March 11th alongside families, advocates, and attorneys to call for legislative change rooted in equity, support, & empowerment. RSVP: bit.ly/familyadvocacy…

We congratulate Stanley Richards on his appointment as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Correction. He comes to this role at a critical moment to end the culture of violence & neglect, close Rikers, and build a system rooted in dignity and humanity. bds.org/assets/files/B…

250 coats = 250 neighbors staying warm! A sincere thank you to @newyorkcares for providing these essential items for the people we serve. Our staff is thrilled for the opportunity to distribute them. This collaboration helps ensure no one is left out in the cold.

A successful day at the Capitol fighting for reproductive justice behind bars. Centering lived experience. Demanding care over cruelty. The work continues. tiktok.com/t/ZP8PGtamT/

The Coalition to Protect Raise the Age rallied at City Hall urging state lawmakers to preserve the law & streamline funding. AM Latrice Walker warned rolling back Raise the Age would undo progress & instead called for investing in opportunities for youth. bds.org/assets/files/C…

Join the coalition to Protect Raise the Age! Wednesday Jan 14 10:30a - 11:30a on the steps of New York City Hall.

BDS congratulates Ali Najmi on his appointment as Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. We welcome the Mamdani administration’s commitment to engaging defense counsel and the broader legal community in judicial selection.

In 2017, NY’s Raise the Age ended charging all 16- & 17-year-olds in adult court. The evidence is clear: treating kids as adults doesn't reduce crime. We must protect Raise the Age and ensure it’s fully implemented by investing in youth programs: raisetheageny.org

We’re proud to share that BDS’ Senior Jail Services Attorney Michael Klinger has been appointed to Mayor-elect Mamdani’s Transition Committee on the Criminal Legal System. Michael brings deep experience working with people in NYC jails and leading reform efforts.

On Dec. 1, join us in NYC, Albany, Rochester, Westchester, Newburgh or Long Island to demand #ParoleJusticeNY and uplift our vision for safety rooted in reuniting families, promoting personal transformation, and meeting peoples’ needs. RSVP: bit.ly/parolejusticek….

New Yorkers turned out in force, now the City Council must act. Call your Council Member and urge them to co-sponsor Intro 798 — the bill to abolish the Database and stop any replacement from being created. bit.ly/48MXUha #EraseTheDatabase #Intro798

Last Tuesday we were joined by young leaders, parents and partners to celebrate #YJAM at our 3rd annual rally and speak-out. We heard from inspirational young people looking to advance youth justice in NYS by calling on our elected to pass #Right2RemainSilent and #YJOA.

New York decided to treat youth like youth when it passed Raise the Age. Rolling it back is not only a step backward, but ignores all the evidence about what actually makes our communities safer. Read Juval Scott and @ProfKrisHenning in @NYDailyNews: nydailynews.com/2025/09/30/pro…

NOW: We’re outside Gov Kathy Hochul’s office to demand she use her clemency powers as part of the solution to the humanitarian crisis in NY prisons. We’re here with The NAACP of NY, Survived & Punished, The Fortune Society, VOCAL-NY, New Hour, Osborne Association and many more.

The rash of in-custody deaths is a city-created crisis: People are dying in city custody. This crisis is fueled by the NYPD refusal to stop in-custody arrests for low-level offenses—where the law clearly requires appearance tickets—paired with underinvestment in our communities.

Multiple judges have ruled that there’s little evidence that the Venezuelan man is a member of the notorious gang, but he remains in ICE custody nonetheless. thecity.nyc/2025/09/12/ice…

Join us and @NYCAIC today at 1PM for a Virtual Rally. Why are our community members dying in DOC and Police custody? Register at: bit.ly/Sep3rd1pm For Grief & Loss Support Email: info@jailsactioncoalition.com #rikers #saytheirnames #HALTsolitary #jailsactioncoalition

NEW: 135+ civil rights, faith-based, crime survivor & community organizations call on Gov. Hochul & other officials to take action to end the humanitarian crisis in NY prisons, including clemency and other release mechanisms, along with parole justice & other legislative reforms.