Director of Training at @NYC_Defenders. I make public defenders out of law grads and strive to give excellent defenders the tools to be more excellent. She/her

Brooklyn, NY
Such a privilege and a thrill to talk about my current work at @nyc_defenders, past experiences at @LegalAidNYC, and lift up the fierce advocacy of public defenders nationwide. Hear about pandemic court, bail reform, and the crisis at Rikers.
This week, Alec speaks with two powerful women working tirelessly to help those most in need of assistance navigating the complicated – and very often expensive – criminal justice system: Attorneys @SusanBChurch11 and @RJLunn. Listen at iheart.com/podcast/heres-the…
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100% Defense work has changed. We need experts on mental health on staff as well as time for more in-depth client interviews, records review, making program referrals, following up with referrals, etc… and did I mention we often supply clothes, food and rides to clients? 1/2
Relatedly, there’s no way for decarceral alternatives to succeed if state & local governments simply expect public defenders to take on the extra burden of facilitating them, without providing us the resources with which to do so. 1/3
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And this is all in addition to trial prep, staying on top of new legal developments, tech and forensic developments and watching hours of body worn camera video. And storing all that video and e-discovery on servers.
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Real talk, though: Most of the folks my colleagues and I at @nyc_defenders represented today were in custody > 24 hours.
NYC public defenders may grumble about suiting up at 8 am on a Saturday, but deep down, we’re proud of our commitment to ensure anyone arrested in NYC sees a judge within 24 hours— even on nights, weekends, and holidays.
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NYC public defenders may grumble about suiting up at 8 am on a Saturday, but deep down, we’re proud of our commitment to ensure anyone arrested in NYC sees a judge within 24 hours— even on nights, weekends, and holidays.
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Renate Lunn retweeted
I’d love to live in a world where my primary interaction with government officials is something more meaningful than texts saying “Stop”
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Renate Lunn retweeted
Seems like the app companies are paying their lawyers & lobbyists more than the minimum wage.
Breaking: The judge in this case just granted a temporary restraining order, so the city's minimum wage rule that was supposed to go into effect next week is now on pause while litigation plays nyc.streetsblog.org/2023/07/…
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Is any clearer proof necessary that the system is working exactly as designed? Discrimination against Blacks, Native Americans and other people of color is the essence of policing.
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Never doubt that the criminal punishment system is designed to keep the rich rich and the poor poor. thecity.nyc/2023/6/9/2375468…
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NYCDS was in Albany today calling on our elected leaders to PASS CLEAN SLATE! #cleanslatecantwait @cleanslateny ⁦@AndreaSCousins⁩ ⁦@CarlHeastie⁩ ⁦@GovKathyHochul⁩
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imagine claiming we don’t have the funds to combat the climate crisis we’re already in while at the same time investing $886 billion in the Pentagon yearly.
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It’s the government’s job to lead in a crisis; the public should not be asked to come up with their own solutions. The Mayor’s hastily arranged press conference this AM seemed more focused on defending his lack of response rather than taking immediate action to help New Yorkers.
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Renate Lunn retweeted
The fact that no one in @NYCSchools sent out an air quality advisory today is incredibly irresponsible and dangerous. I work in the Bronx, many of our kids struggle with asthma & other health issues, and we left the windows open all day bc no one bothered to tell us otherwise.
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“On May 14th Joshua Vallez did what many people did. He called his mother to wish her a happy Mother’s Day. He called his sister to wish her a happy Mother’s Day…5 days later he was brain dead.” @nyc_defenders reminds us he was more than his accused crime.
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Must read: What do you get when you combine legislation based on fear not facts + a violent, corrupt city agency that acts with impunity? Death.
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BREAKING: NYCDS urges an immediate investigation by the NYS Attorney General into the murky and troubling circumstances surrounding Joshua Valles’ death. We are devastated about the death of NYCDS client Joshua Valles this weekend. Read our statement: nycds.org/statement-from-new…
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Renate Lunn retweeted
"Inmate" is the 9th most common household type in the US, which is quite fucked up. There are more "inmate" "households" than a parent and two kids ones.
There were 4,708 household types in the U.S., based on the 2021 American Community Survey. Here's the 40 most common.
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Not gonna lie. I’m shocked that #PeabodyAwards snubbed these brilliant and insightful interviews by @AlecBaldwin.
This week, Alec speaks with two powerful women working tirelessly to help those most in need of assistance navigating the complicated – and very often expensive – criminal justice system: Attorneys @SusanBChurch11 and @RJLunn. Listen at iheart.com/podcast/heres-the…
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