At The Legal Aid Society our Civil, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Rights, and Pro Bono practices work tirelessly in and out of the courtroom 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 calls for meaningful legislation to reform City DNA practices

The Intercept: Stop-And-Frisk Never Ended. Now It’s Gone Digital.
The Crime Report: Lawsuit Charges Unlawful Digital Stop-and-Frisk in NYC
NYDN: Scientists in ME’s office raise concerns over NYPD’s DNA collection methods
The City: Bill Would Clamp Down on Cops Collecting DNA From Kids
Gothamist: New City Council Bill Aims To Stop NYPD From Stealing Kids’ DNA
NY Daily News: Murder probe samples among 1,845 DNA profiles NYPD proposes purging 
Norwood News: Almost 2,000 People To Be Removed From NYPD DNA Index

LAS pushes for fair accommodations for all homeless New Yorkers

NYDN: Do right by homeless people: A novel idea for how to approach New Yorkers in deep distress
Patch: Lucerne Residents Face New Fight As Downtown Group Opposes Move
Pix 11: Lower Manhattan residents resisting NYC’s homeless plan
TapInto: Neighborhood Group Files Lawsuit to Stop Transfer of Homeless Men
Tribeca Citizen: Downtown New Yorkers file lawsuit against homeless shelter

LAS threatens legal action over lack of internet for homeless students

Politico: Legal Aid threatens to sue city over lack of internet access for homeless students
1010Wins: LAS threatens to sue NYC as homeless students deal with internet problems
Gothamist: Remote Learners At City’s Homeless Shelters Still Struggle To Get Internet Access

More LAS in the news

Norwood News: LAS Calls on DOC to Assist People in Custody with Stimulus Payment Applications
Time: ‘My Faith In This World Is Gone.’ For Protesters Injured by Police, There’s No Real Recovery
The City: A Broken Bond: How New York Judges Are Getting Around Bail Reform
ABC7: Tiempo: Medalla Light, Hispanic Heritage Month, Supreme Court replacement
THE CITY: He Received Medicaid Coverage For Years. Now, the State Wants $32,000 Back.
Queens Daily Eagle: NYC pretrial jail population has risen by 16% since bail law change
Pix11: LAS urges city to pause collections from SNAP, Medicaid recipients amid COVID-19
El Diario: Llaman a postergar los cobros hasta que se levante la emergencia de salud pública
Bklyner: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Statue To Be Located In Brooklyn
THE APPEAL: Tenant Organizers Are Running to Keep New Yorkers in Their Homes 
NYDN: NY state prison sees largest surge in Covid-19 cases since March
Law360: Atty Gaps, Case Backlogs Set Stage As NY Eviction Hold Lifts