85 organizations from throughout New York State issued a letter today to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie urging the Legislature to pass #Right2RemainSilent, legislation to ensure that young New Yorkers have access to an attorney before waiving their Miranda rights and being subjected to a custodial police interrogation.

This outpouring of support for #Right2RemainSilent adds to the diverse group of organizations, and former and current juvenile legal system stakeholders, including law enforcement, calling for its passage.

Former New York City Department of Probation Commissioner Ana M. Bermudez, former Deputy Commissioner for Juvenile Operations at the New York City Department of Probation Gineen Gray and former New York State Supreme Court Judge Michael A. Corriero all recently provided letters of support for #Right2RemainSilent, joining former Corporation Counsel and federal prosecutor and judge Zachary Carter, former New York City Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Ron Richter and 18 other current and former Family Court and Criminal Court judges.

“Young people throughout New York State routinely waive their constitutional right to remain silent without understanding the consequences,” said Dawne Mitchell, Chief Attorney of The Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice. “The #Right2RemainSilent Act will ensure that all young New Yorkers, not just those who can afford a private attorney, will consult with an attorney prior to police interrogation. This is a matter of racial and economic justice and we implore Albany lawmakers to prioritize this bill.”