Some of you may have read this article or this one, about a racial slur made by a family court clerk, commenting on a youth facing a criminal charge. Though not our client, he could have been, as this is the kind of case that we now handle in our Juvenile Justice practice. Last Friday, CFR joined other defender agencies in issuing a joint statement, which can be found here.
It is easy to believe that in a city like New York, this kind of thing does not happen, perhaps especially given the attention these issues have drawn over the last several difficult months, and as many in the nation are paying close attention to the Chauvin trial. But our staff sees, hears, and experiences these kinds of incidents in court regularly, and of course our clients experience these incidents far more often, and in many more places.
There is a LOT to do to compel the courts, ACS, prosecutors--and all those who impact our clients--to act with greater fairness and humanity.
We're going to keep at it. With competence and energy and persistence. And we appreciate all you do to make that possible.
