Protect Kalief's Law - Advocacy Day

March 3 | 11AM-3PM

Press conference and rally will begin at 11 am on the 4th floor of the Capitol outside the Senate Chamber. We will plan meetings with legislators and then wrap up the day's activity by 3pm.

Governor Hochul, after years of pressure from prosecutors has given in and made a series of proposals that, taken together would repeal our discovery laws by giving prosecutors absolute discretion in what they turn over and when they turn it over.

I've been organizing public defenders the last three years to fight these very same proposals. In January when it became apparent the Gov was going to include her rollbacks in her state of the state and budget we ramped up and formed The Alliance to Protect Kalief's Law and launched mid January. We organized under Kalief Browder's name with the blessing of Akeem and his family.

We must not go back to the blindfold era, where people are forced to make the life-changing decision of whether to plead or risk trial with no access to the government’s evidence against them. With your help we can fortify the legislature to resist these sweeping proposals that together would effectively repeal our discovery laws.

We are sharing Alliance talking points, data sheet and compilation of court cases that show that there is no “loophole” defense attorneys can employ to “lie in wait” and get cases dismissed on “technicalities”.

We also will be up in Albany this coming Monday, March 3rd on the 4^th floor of the Capitol for a press conference/rally at 11am and a day of meetings - register to join us here.

The Council of Churches has signed on to the list of supporters. Together, we can be a crucial part of winning bail and discovery reforms if we stand shoulder to shoulder.

Amanda Jack | Policy Director
‍Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
‍Law Reform Unit
The Legal Aid Society | Criminal Defense Practice