- About Us
- What We Do
- Special Projects
- Clemency
- Federal Litigation Advisory Group
- Forensic Science Project
- Immigrant Justice Practice
- Impact Litigation Project
- Access to Appeals
- Justice First Project
- Legislation Committee
- Racial Justice Project
- SORA
- Survivors Advocacy Practice
- The Plea Project
- Youth and Emergent Adult Resentencing Project
- Youthful Offender Reapplication Project
- For Clients & Families
- For the Legal Community
Racial Justice Project
The criminal legal system is a particularly stark and sobering example of the myriad ways in which racial bias and inequity infect our society.
People of color are vastly underrepresented as prosecutors, judges, and even jurors—in essence, the side of the criminal system that is bestowed with power and discretion. On the other hand, people of color are grossly overrepresented on the side without such power: They are more likely to be stopped, profiled, misidentified, charged, overcharged, held with no or higher bail, convicted, and given higher sentences than similarly situated white peers. Given this, the work of a comprehensive criminal defense organization must be inextricably intertwined with the pursuit of racial equity and racial justice.
The Aim
The Racial Justice Project purpose is to aid in this pursuit by acting as a supportive and collaborative resource on issues concerning racial equity, both in CAL’s own cases and the system more broadly. The project develops trainings on racial justice issues and reference materials for CAL cases, which are specifically screened for issues of racial inequity including those discussed above. The project also supports initiatives such as CAL’s Anti-Racism Working Group (“ARWG”) which, in addition to compiling anti-racist resources for defense attorneys, performs outside advocacy aimed at racial justice issues. Finally, the project is always looking for additional ways to support racial justice initiatives in the broader New York community, including the writing of amicus briefs, partnering with like-minded organizations, and supporting progressive legislation.
Other Special Projects
CLEMENCY PROJECT
Executive clemency is powerful tool for those who are still suffering the consequences of past convictions.
FEDERAL LITIGATION ADVISORY GROUP
Although CAL legal advocacy for its clients often ends at the Court of Appeals, it is essential that we devote meaningful attention to criminal federal court proceedings.
FORENSIC SCIENCE PROJECT
Started in 2018, FSP litigates (and supports the litigation of) claims involving forensic science.
IMMIGRANT JUSTICE PRACTICE
Our Immigrant Justice Practice (IJP) zealously pursues post-conviction relief for noncitizen clients to advance their rights and protect them from the threat of immigration incarceration and deportation as a result of their criminal conviction.
Impact Litigation Project
The Impact Litigation Project develops and implements impact-litigation strategies for changing the law by fighting for legal rulings in criminal and civil cases that bolster liberty.
IN FORMA PAUPERIS & ACCESS TO APPEALS
After an indigent individual pleads guilty or is found guilty at trial, they are all too often forgotten about and lost to the system
JUSTICE FIRST
There is no longer any debate that the criminal justice system generates wrongful convictions, cases in which innocent people are sentenced to long periods of prison for crimes they did not commit.
RACIAL JUSTICE PROJECT
The criminal legal system is a particularly stark and sobering example of the myriad ways in which racial bias and inequity infect our society.
SORA
In New York, individuals who are released from prison after completing their sentences for sex offenses must register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
SURVIVORS ADVOCACY PRACTICE
CAL’s Survivors Advocacy Practice represents survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking who are seeking post-conviction relief.
Youthful Offender Reapplication Project
Youthful Offender Adjudication is an immensely important disposition for young people since a "YO" adjudication is not a conviction.
Youth and Emergent Adult Resentencing Project
Haunted by the reality that young adults whom CAL represented years and sometimes decades earlier are still serving the crushing sentences imposed by the trial court and unremediated on appeal, CAL developed the YEARS project.