New York Law Journal
  • Home
  • News
  • Decisions
  • Columns
  • Practice Areas
  • My NYLJ
  • Careers
  • Courts
  • Verdicts
  • Public Notices
  • Smart Litigator

Home > Lippman Lauds Bronx Group's Nonprofit Approach to Bail Defenders

Font Size: increase font decrease font

Lippman Lauds Bronx Group's Nonprofit Approach to Bail Defenders

By Joel Stashenko Contact All Articles 

New York Law Journal

February 11, 2013

  •    
  •    
  •    
  •      
 
Robin Steinberg

Robin Steinberg, executive director of the Bronx Defenders

Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman (See Profile) last week praised as a way "to take the profit motive out of bond making" the program of a Bronx legal assistance organization that used charitable contributions to keep its indigent clients out of jail as they awaited trial.

Lippman's endorsement came as The Bronx Defenders prepared to resume operations of its Freedom Fund Project, which were halted more than three years ago by a Bronx judge but was resuscitated by legislation passed last year.

Lippman made bail reform a centerpiece of his state of his judiciary speech (NYLJ, Feb. 6). In a message that offered several proposals for reforming the system, he criticized bail bond businesses that he said saw little profit in providing small amounts of bail.

But he said the non-profit Freedom Fund had helped about 160 defendants win their release from 2007 to 2009 by posting $1,500 or less in bail, small amounts that were beyond the capacity of many indigent defendants to raise.

"The fund reports a 93 percent appearance rate for participating defendants," Lippmann said. "In the days ahead, we should be considering approaches like this in other parts of the state and with larger bail amounts."

Human Rights Watch reported in 2010 that 87 percent of the defendants with bail of $1,000 or less were incarcerated in New York City because they could not afford bail. The defendants spent an average of almost 16 days in jail awaiting trial.

According to the New York City Criminal Justice Agency, which reviews the suitability of bail in most criminal cases, only 44 percent of defendants can meet bail at the amount it is set.

The Freedom Fund was established because lawyers of The Bronx Defenders were frustrated by that situation.

"The central mission is to try to post bail for those least able to afford it and most likely to return to court," said Robin Steinberg, executive director of the Bronx Defenders. "I was both surprised and delighted and I really appreciate the fact that the chief judge recognizes that there are certain kinds of reforms in bail and one is a freedom fund."

The fund was launched in 2007 by Steinberg and her husband David Feige, a founding member of the Bronx Defenders, as a pilot project funded mainly by the Joseph and Claire Flom Foundation and the Charles Lawrence Keith and Clara Miller Foundation (NYLJ, Dec. 7, 2007).

A browser or device that allows javascript is required to view this content.

Continue reading

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Next



Subscribe to New York Law Journal

You must be signed in to comment on an article

Find similar content

Companies, agencies mentioned

    
  • Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio
  • Freedom Fund
  • New York State Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics
  • Bronx Bar Association
  • Financial Services
  • Charles Lawrence Keith and Clara Miller Foundation
  • Joseph and Claire Flom Foundation
  • New York City Criminal Justice Agency
  • American Bar Association
  • Human Rights Watch

Most viewed stories

    
  1. Stop-and-Frisk Judge Relishes Her Independence
    •      
  2. Trial Founders on 'Personality Issues' Between Judge, Counsel
    •      
  3. Court Officials Seek to Reform Process of Naming Acting Justices
    •      
  4. Legal Services NYC Employees Strike; Lower Intake Expected
    •      
  5. Ground Is Shifting in 14-Year Litigation
    •      
lawjobs.com

TOP JOBS

MORE JOBS

POST A JOB

From the Law.com Network

EEOC Gets Tough With Companies on Genetic Privacy

Retailers Facing Employment Law Vulnerabilities

Amid Spy Scandal, Russia Boots Baker & McKenzie Lawyer

Survey: Firm Leaders Admit Downturn's Permanent Impact

Contrite Companies Can Win Forgiveness in Bribery Cases
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Plaintiffs Want to See Toyota's 'Crown Jewels'
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Cisco E-Book Delivers Ethics on the Go

Collaboration Is Key to Defending Cyberattacks

Prolific ADA Plaintiff Faces Nemesis in Harassment Suit

Ullyot Exit Closes Chapter for Facebook

Fla. Attorneys Lead Force-Placed Insurance Fight

Lawsuit Names Missing Fla. Attorney for Alleged Fraud
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Loaner Judges Helping Essex Cope With Persistent Vacancies
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Surrogate Faces Suspension for Political Activity, Drunken Driving
  •      
    • Subscription Required

The Affordable State-Specific Practice Solution
Available in NY, NJ, PA and CT editions - research, draft and prepare even the most complex cases with ease.

Court System, Counties Agree on 3 Court Facility Upgrades

Guardian Who Delayed Final Account Must Pay Referee Fee
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Perelman's Case Against Arlin Adams Thrown Out

McVay Wins Superior Court Nod With Western Turnout
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Law Schools Are Looking Beyond LSATs, Says Mich. Dean

Is Freezing Your Eggs the Solution?

Advising Clients on Weather and the Workplace
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Texas Sues BP, Transocean, Halliburton, Anadarko Entities
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Insurer Beats Bid By Bilked Client
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Barnes Asks For Court-Appointed Lawyer To Help Defend Brooks

Corporate Bribery Case Part Of National Trend
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Court Continues To Grant Lawyers Fraud Immunity
  •      
    • Subscription Required

  • Books
  • Advertise
  • Contact NYLJ
  • About NYLJ
  • RSS
  • Subscribe
  • About |
  • ALM Properties |
  • ALM Reprints |
  • Customer Support |
  • Privacy Policy |
  • Terms & Conditions |
  • ALM User License Agreement
ALM Media