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.