Criminal Justice Section
The Criminal Justice Section of the New York State Bar Association examines legal developments in criminal law today. NYSBA membership is required to join. Section dues are $35 a year for attorneys and free law school students.
The purpose of the Criminal Justice Section is to "anticipate, recognize and address such issues of crime, criminology, criminal procedure, correction and the administration of criminal justice as properly come before or should come before the New York State Bar Association."
Members of the Criminal Justice Section of the NYSBA include public defenders, criminal defense attorneys in private practice, and prosecutors practicing in the State of New York.
Contact Information:
Website: https://www.nysba.org/criminal/
Joining the Criminal Justice Section
Benefits of joining the Criminal Law Section include:
- access to publications including the New York Criminal Law Newsletter;
- discounts for continuing educational opportunities including the MCLE programs held at NYSBA's Annual Meeting
- networking opportunities with other attorneys and judges involved in many aspects of the criminal justice system;
- a credible voice on pending criminal justice legislation;
- the chance to develop NYSBA policy on criminal justice issues;
- access to the Criminal Justice Section’s Online Community, where members post queries for guidance and referrals; and
- discounts on NYSBA CLE programs sponsored by the Criminal Justice Section.
The New York State Bar Association has several other sections based on niche practice areas of the law.
Committees of the Criminal Justice System
Members have opportunities to improve the criminal justice system by serving on one of fourteen substantive committees including:
- Defense Committee
- Committee on Prosecution
- Awards Committee
- Bylaws Committee
- Nominations Committee
- Judiciary Committee
- Membership Committee
- Victims' Rights
Many of the top criminal defense attorneys in New York belong to the section devoted to criminal justice.
Executive Committee of the Criminal Justice Section
All members of the Executive Committee must be members of the New York State Bar Association and Criminal Justice Section. The Executive Committee consists of the:
- Chair
- Vice-Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer of the Section
- all former Section Chairs
- all committee chairs and co-chairs
- the President of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- the Executive Director of the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services or designee
- the President of the New York State Defenders Association or designee
- the Director of the State Division of Criminal Justice Services or designee
- the Executive Director of the New York State Defenders Association
- the Attorney in Chief of The New York City Legal Aid Society or designee
- an Executive Director of a Legal Aid Society outside of New York City or designee
- the President of the New York State District Attorney's Association or designee
- a district attorney or designee from a District Attorney’s office in the First or Second Department
- a district attorney or designee from a District Attorney’s office in the Third or Fourth Department
- the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York or designee
- the Chairperson of the Board of the New York Prosecutors Training Institute or designee
- a law school professor at a New York law school
- one Young Lawyer (an attorney admitted to practice 10 years or less)
- the current YLS liaison
- up to three Law Students (as non-voting members of the committee)
- one Representative who resides or practices law from each judicial district in the state.
Additionally, the Chair may also appoint up to eleven additional individuals to serve as members of the Executive Committee.
Prior Chairs of the Criminal Justice Section
The prior Chairs of the Criminal Justice Section include:
- 2019-2021: Robert J. Masters
- 2017-2019: Tucker C. Stanclift
- 2015-2017: Sherry Levin Wallach
- 2013-2015: Hon. Mark R. Dwyer
- 2011-2013: Marvin E. Schechter
- 2009-2011: James P. Subjack
- 2007-2009: Jean T. Walsh
- 2005-2007: Roger B. Adler
- 2003-2005: Michael T. Kelly
- 2001-2003: Thomas F. Liotti
- 1999-2001: Vincent E. Doyle, III
- 1997-1999: Susan B. Lindenauer
- 1995-1997: Robert W. Vinal
- 1993-1995: Paul J. Cambria
- 1991-1993: Martin B. Adelman
- 1989-1991: Terrence J. Connors
- 1987-1989: Joseph Jaffe
- 1985-1987: Hon. Renee A. White
- 1983-1985: Vincent E. Doyle, Jr.
- 1981-1983: Andrew M. Schnier
This article was last updated on Friday, January 31, 2020.