Vera Institute of Justice

Overview

This report describes the encouraging results of a joint effort initiated in August 1994 by the Criminal Justice Coordinator, the Legal Aid Society, and court administrators to increase Legal Aid's share of cases at arraignment. Vera monitored the arraignment process in person and electronically through March 12, 1995. Includes proportion of felony and misdemeanor cases handled, defense ready time, and rate of guilty pleas entered at arraignment during the study period. Contains a brief history of indigent defense services in New York City.