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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:
Governor Cuomo signs bill further decriminalizing marijuana but issues remain for LAS clients
Politico: Cuomo signs bill decriminalizing marijuana, allows for wiping records Newsday: NY further decriminalizes marijuana; past convictions will be sealed Staten Island Advance: Marijuana decriminalized in New York with Cuomo’s final approval Monday Wall Street Journal: Gov. Cuomo Signs Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana Use El Diario: Gobernador firma ley para despenalizar la posesión de marihuana en NY NYLJ: NY Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Is Signed Into Law by Cuomo NY Daily News: Cuomo signs bill decriminalizing pot use but critics say it doesn’t go far enough Associated Press: New York reduces penalties for marijuana possession WXXI: New York law further decriminalizes marijuana possession News12: New York reduces penalties for marijuana possession QNS: Cuomo inks bill decriminalizing small marijuana possession Patch: Bill Further Decriminalizing Pot Signed By NY Governor Brooklyn Paper: Cuomo inks bill decriminalizing small marijuana possession Forbes: NAACP, ACLU And Allies Demand Congress Pass Marijuana Bill With Justice Focus
Layleen Polanco’s cause of death determined
Out: Layleen Polanco’s Family Demands Answers Following Autopsy Report Patch: Seizure Caused Layleen Polanco’s Death On Rikers Island: City THE CITY: Layleen Polanco Died of Epileptic Seizure in Solitary, Autopsy Reveals AP News: ME: Transgender inmate’s death related to epileptic seizure Daily News: Transgender woman found dead in Rikers Island cell died as a result of her epilepsy
NYPD splashing controversy continues Queens Daily Eagle: NYPD traffic agents doused with water in Woodhaven AMNY: Throwing water at police would be a felony under bill by state lawmakers WSJ: New York State Bill Would Make Dousing a Police Officer a Felony NY Daily News: Spraying cops with water could be felony under state legislation NY Daily News: Kids, some as young as 11, now in NYPD’s facial recognition database
The fight continues over gravity knife convictions
Bronx Justice News: Bronx DA To Vacate Gravity Knife Convictions After Statute’s Repeal Queens Daily Eagle: NYC’s DAs differ on vacating old gravity knife convictions Patch: NYC Prosecutors Split On Handling Of Gravity Knife Convictions
More LAS in the news
Brooklyn Daily Eagle: The trio fighting to free innocent New Yorkers from prison Next City: Is Rent Control a ‘Taking’ of Landlords’ Property? Telemundo: “Es vergonzoso”: Trump sobre humillación a oficiales The Appeal: New York City’s Homeless Diversion Program is ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ NY1 Noticias: Sujeto acusado de varios cargos por haber tirado agua a dos mujeres policías New York County Politics: Housing Advocates Clash with Slighted Parents at Epstein’s Town Hall El Diario: Crea polémica orden de criminalizar actos como mojar a policías en la calles NY Daily News: Immigration courts in NYC lack staff, resources, and interpreters NY Daily News: LAS calls for cooler conditions in city jails as 90-degree temperatures loom Long Island Press: New Rent Rules Sound Sweet for Tenants, While Landlords Sing Blues The Chief: Dousing Cops No Joke Queens Daily Eagle: More than 80 cops have been named in Queens lawsuits this year Gothamist: NYPD Misconduct Lawsuits Have Already Cost NYC Taxpayers $40 Million This Year THE CITY: AOC Makes a Bronx census push amind fears of lost house seats