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 pushes for decarceration as COVID-19 spreads in City and State jails and prisons

The Atlantic: Quarantine Could Change How Americans Think of Incarceration
NY Daily News: 47 minor parole violators remain stuck in NYC jails
THE CITY: COVID-Sick at Rikers on $1 Bail – and a Parole Violation
CBS: Leaving Rikers Island and coming home to a pandemic
THE CITY: New York Prisons Scramble to Fill Medical Jobs as COVID Cases Rise

LAS files 40 emergency clemency applications for at-risk clients

NY Daily News: Legal Aid Society calls for clemency for 40 people in NY prisons
Times Union: Legal Aid Society requests 40 emergency clemencies from Cuomo
NY Post: Legal group wants Cuomo to release 40 more prisoners over coronavirus fears

NYPD practices must change to slow the spread of COVID-19

Washington Post: In this pandemic, standard police practices risk spreading infection
Queens Daily Eagle: Queens cops neglect social distancing in social media posts
Truthout: Social Distancing Doesn’t Matter When It Comes to Racist, Aggressive Policing

More LAS in the news

Crain’s: NYC Sheriff said he can’t enforce council eviction ban
City & State: New York’s ancient unemployment system failed when we needed it
Law360: NY Judge Urged To Halt Immigration Wealth Test During Virus
Streetsblog: Pols Keep Making Homelessness a Transit Issue, But it is a Housing Issue
Reuters: Your unemployment questions, answered