To inquiry about interviews & for more information contact press@queensdefenders.org

RECENT NEWS

NY Discovery Reform Feud Simmers Between DAs, Defenders
Law360 | May 2024
Queens Defenders Attorney-in-Charge for Law Reform and Policy Gina Mitchell, comments about the importance of keeping the 2019 discovery reforms in place.

NY lawmakers vow legislation and hearings in response to sexual abuse allegations at Rikers
Gothamist | March 2024
Queens Defenders joins other Public Defense organizations in condemning the allegations of abuse at Rikers, and continues our call to close Rikers.

Learn how to ‘fight back’ against domestic violence at self-defense training class in Arverne
QNS | October 2023
Queens Defenders Executive Director Lori Zeno commends Council Member Brooks-Powers for her support of violence-prevention programs such as DOVE at Queens Defenders.

Local public defenders wary of new Rikers dyslexia screening bill
Queens Daily Eagle | October 2023
Queens Defenders Attorney-in-Charge for Law Reform and Policy Gina Mitchell, is quoted speaking about the complications with the Department of Corrections providing these dyslexia screenings properly.

CLIENT & LEGAL SERVICES

Council calls on mayor to increase funds for public defenders
Queens Daily Eagle | June 2023
Queens Defenders Executive Director Lori Zeno, comments on the need for increased funding to public defenders across the city.

NYC public defender groups in dire financial need, calling for $425M funding increase: ‘We’re in the crosshairs of serious disaster’
New York Daily News | March 2023
Queens Defenders joins other Public Defender and Civil Service organizations in calling on both City and State leaders for increased funding to ensure the protection of New Yorkers right to a fair trial.

NYC Council: NYPD must be held accountable
Caribbean Life | March 2023
Queens Defenders & Executive Director Lori Zeno joins the ACLU in calling for accountability in regards to the NYPD Strategic Response Unit. 

‘Busy and quick’: A peek into the life of a public defender in NYC
PIX11 | Queens Defenders Director of Family Court Services Kirlyn Joseph gives an interview regarding the life & role of a Public Defender

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING & ADVOCACY

LEGAL AID RADIO: Mani Tafari About Justice456 
Legal Aid Radio – WALK 97.5FM | July 2023
Staff Attorney and Justice456 Program Co-Founder Mani Tafari spoke to Legal Aid Radio about the Justice456 initiative and the importance of the youth of today learning about their rights. 

Court program offers teens a lesson on the judicial system
NY1 | June 2023
As one of the many outreach programs that occurs at Queens Defenders, and each year Youth Justice Court conducts a Mock Trial for their graduation.

Inside the Queens Defenders’ Youth Court
Queens Daily Eagle | March 2023
Queens Defenders’ Youth Justice Court program works with youth across the borough to teach young people about the ins and out of the justice system.

After Nearly Three Years in Shelters, a Job and a Studio in New York
New York Times | March 2023
Queens Defenders Housing Navigator Sapthagiri Iyengar connects an EHV Housing Client with a home through our Housing Navigator program.

Far Rock Precinct Has #1 Drop in Crime
The Wave | January 2023
The 101st Precinct includes Queens Defenders Youth Programs as one of the potential factors in the reduction of crime in the Rockaways.

Far Rockaway assemblyman announces funding for the Queens Defenders Emergency Distribution Center
QNS | Queens Defenders opens the Queens Defenders Emergency Distribution Center with New York State Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson

Know the power of 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments
AMNY | Interview with Attorney Mani Tafari & Education Specialist Oral “Nick” Hilary on the creation of Queens Defenders’ Justice456 Program

LEADERSHIP

Opinion: The Time to End Qualified Immunity Is Now
Queens Daily Eagle | February 2023
Executive Director Lori Zeno calls on New York Legislature to end Qualified Immunity in response to the death of Tyre Nichols

An archive of press releases and news can be found here.

If you are with the media and would like to receive press releases, request an interview, or obtain additional information on Queens Defenders, please contact Alora Sherbert, Manager of Development & Communications and Brian Schatz, Director of Development & Communications at press@queensdefenders.org.