“As a collective,” notes University of Maryland Law Professor Michael Pinard, “defense attorneys – as well as trial judges and prosecutors – are generally unaware of the existence and scope of collateral consequences.” Among defenders that is changing. The Bronx Defenders provides civil legal services, fully integrating civil representation with its criminal defense practice, and working to mitigate collateral sanctions. The Bronx Defenders has also developed Re-entry.net, a rich clearinghouse of materials for attorneys, social service providers, and policy reform advocates on reentry and the consequences of criminal proceedings. The Maricopa County Public Defender devoted an entire issue of its training newsletter to explaining collateral consequences imposed in Arizona. And the Office of the Appellate Defender in New York works with clients to plan for release from prison, addressing issues like housing, identification, and health needs.
- Collateral Consequences of Convictions: The Unseen Impact on Clients, Families and Barriers to Community Re-entry
- Re-entry Advocacy and Assistance: For Clients with New York State Prison Sentences
- Recommendation of The Bronx Defenders and Reentry Net to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws concerning the Uniform Collateral Sanctions and Disqualifications Act