Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) strongly supports the immediate passage of A7718 (Burgos). BDS provides multi-disciplinary and client-centered defense practice, representing clients in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our attorneys, social workers, and advocates represent and advocate for nearly 30,000 indigent Brooklyn residents every year.

The smallest of rules can sometimes result in great injustice. A7718 (Burgos) would modify a technical rule concerning the allocation of jail time credit when a person on parole faces new criminal charges. As currently enforced, this jail time accounting rule arbitrarily results in some persons being forced to serve additional years in prison for circumstances completely beyond their control. The accounting rule also unfairly punishes poor people who cannot afford to post bail. The Office of Court Administration (OCA) has characterized the current rule as “arbitrary and inequitable” and has requested enactment of this ameliorative legislation. Brooklyn Defender Services agrees with OCA and strongly supports A7718.

View the full memo here.