Policy and Law Reform Program Program

Justice Matters. It's Your Right.

Policy and Justice Reform Program

Queens Defenders’ Policy and Law Reform Program works to drive change for clients impacted by the criminal legal system by supporting and amplifying City and State legislation that seeks to ameliorate the effects of mass incarceration, reshape the narrative around public safety, and drastically limit the role of the criminal and immigration systems of injustice.

Policy Law and Reform Team

Samantha Jerabek

JD, Seton Hall University Law Center

Raymond Queliz

Supervising Attorney
JD, New York Law School

Peter Visconti

Director of Supreme Court Youth Division
JD, Thomas M. Cooley Law School

Campaigns and Coalitions We Actively Support

Close Rikers Campaign

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Justice Matters. It's Your Right.

Policy and Justice Reform Program

Policy Law and Reform Team

Samantha Jerabek

Raymond Queliz

Peter Visconti

Campaigns and Coalitions We Actively Support

Close Rikers Campaign

Communities Not Cages

Property Seizure Coalition

Road to Reparations

Treatment No Jails

Find the full list of Queens Sefenders letters of support & memos here.

Policy and Law Program In Action

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

170 Rockaway students have been trained as Youth Justice Court advocates since 2010. 77 QD felony youth cases were transferred from Criminal Court to Family Court in 2019.

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

Since 1996, Queens Defenders has served more than 450,000 people. Our social workers supported over 525 criminal court clients in 2019.

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

Over 5,000 people visited the Rockaway Justice Center in its first year.
QD collaborated with 18 nonprofits to support residents of the Rockaways.

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

The Queens Defenders commitment extends well beyond the courtroom. We employ a team of social workers who connect clients with critical resources and alternatives to incarceration.

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

2,700 immigrants received legal services from QD in 2019. Our immigration clients come from 113 countries.

Justice Matters. It's Your Right.

Policy and Justice Reform Program

Policy Law and Reform Team

Samantha Jerabek

Raymond Queliz

Peter Visconti

Campaigns and Coalitions We Actively Support

Close Rikers Campaign

Communities Not Cages

Property Seizure Coalition

Road to Reparations

Treatment No Jails

Find the full list of Queens Sefenders letters of support & memos here.

Policy and Law Program In Action

Policy and LawPlace Holder Title

Queens Defenders Expands Food Pantry and Community Services to Jamaica Area

Building Up Young People and Giving Space to Thrive as an Activist

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

170 Rockaway students have been trained as Youth Justice Court advocates since 2010. 77 QD felony youth cases were transferred from Criminal Court to Family Court in 2019.

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

Since 1996, Queens Defenders has served more than 450,000 people. Our social workers supported over 525 criminal court clients in 2019.

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

Over 5,000 people visited the Rockaway Justice Center in its first year.QD collaborated with 18 nonprofits to support residents of the Rockaways.

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

The Queens Defenders commitment extends well beyond the courtroom. We employ a team of social workers who connect clients with critical resources and alternatives to incarceration.

Justice Matters. It’s Your Right.

2,700 immigrants received legal services from QD in 2019. Our immigration clients come from 113 countries.

Over 5,000 people visited the Rockaway Justice Center in its first year.
QD collaborated with 18 nonprofits to support residents of the Rockaways.