Mark S. Williams, President of the Chief Defenders Association of New York (CDANY) and Cattaraugus County Public Defender, issued the following statement responding to Governor Cuomo’s budget unveiling: 

“The Chief Defenders Association of New York lauds Governor Andrew Cuomo for including in his Executive Budget more than $50 million to support quality improvements to our State’s public defense system. These improvements will allow counties to begin providing counsel at first appearance, support much needed caseload relief, and fund other high quality improvements. We also look forward to working with the Governor, Senate, and Assembly on proposed reforms to New York’s antiquated criminal discovery, speedy trial, and bail statutes to ensure that the final legislation promotes real and wholesale change.”