At The Legal Aid Society our Civil, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Rights, and Pro Bono practices work tirelessly in and out of thecourtroom to defend our clients and dismantle the hidden, systemic barriers that can prevent them from thriving in New York City. We seek to be a beacon of hope for those who feel neglected —regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they identify. Our experienced teams provide comprehensive services, support, and advocacy that protect rights, keep families and communities together, and in many cases, saves lives. We have an intrinsic connection to the daily lives of New Yorkers. Here are a few of the places we made a difference, provided context or added valuable perspective this week.

LAS responds to Governor’s State of the State address

Pix11: Hochul says NY bail reform laws need improvements
NYLJ: More Aid for Prosecutors Coming, Hochul Says in State of State Address
NYDN: Gov. Hochul floats another N.Y. bail law rollback, new mental health plan
Gothamist: NY Gov. Hochul’s State of the State: 5 takeaways on bail laws, housing plan and more
Gothamist: Changing bail laws, rebuilding NY state police among Hochul’s public safety proposals
Times Union: ‘We will build a new world.’ Hochul promises affordability, safety
Brooklyn Eagle: Legal Aid Society Speaks out on Tenant Rights, Bail Reform
The Daily Star: Hochul opens door to new debate on bail changes
News Nation: Hochul: New York bail reform law needs improvement
Univision: Revelan estrategia para combatir crisis de vivienda en Nueva York
Times Union: Hochul proposes greater bail discretion for judges in ‘serious’ criminal cases
Democrat & Chronicle: Bail Reform, Hiring Police Officers: How Hochul Will Take Aim at Crime in NY
Hell Gate: Governor’s 10-Year Housing Plan Mysteriously Lacks Any New Tenant Protections
FOX5: NY governor calls for changes to bail reform law

Utility Outages Continue to Plague NYCHA Residents

Gothamist: Heat, hot water outages in NYC public housing spiked last year, records show
PIX11: NYC not doing enough to address heat complaints, report says
Law360: NYC Housing Authority Residents Plagued By Utility Outages
News 12: City comptroller report finds chronic rate of heat outages in NYCHA buildings
Crain’s: More than 1,000 city buildings have chronic heating problems, comptroller says
Brooklyn Paper: Utility outages at NYCHA complexes increased last year

More LAS in the news

Esquire: Day One at Rikers Island
Newsday: NYS Mum on Deadline for Covid Rent Relief Program
Gothamist: Report on NYPD’s gang database, promised for months, has been delayed
Spectrum News: Groups urge lawmakers to ban surveillance tools used by law enforcement
Amsterdam News: City promised a report on NYPD’s ‘secret’ gang database, advocates still waiting
Law360: 2nd Circ. Questions Takings Claims In Rent Law Challenges
NPR: Cities and states are trying to limit high application fees for renters