New York, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) says she was disappointed by the Governor’s decision to veto legislation that would have brought equity to indigent defense funding across New York, a long overdue criminal justice reform measure.

“The cost and burden of indigent defense is most onerous on our state’s poorest counties,” said Assemblywoman Rozic. “This is a missed opportunity to sign legislation that had strong bipartisan support in both houses of the state legislature.”

“As an issue of fairness, state funding of the indigent defense program would have ensured defendants from all economic backgrounds have effective representation. It would have also put all counties in the state on the same footing and provided important mandate relief for taxpayers,” she added.

While the New York constitution mandates that those unable to afford counsel be provided with legal representation, counties have struggled to properly fund and operate consistent, quality public defense programs. Currently, the state pays roughly 10 percent for indigent legal services for each county.

A recent settlement between the state and five counties called for the state Office of Indigent Legal Services to reform the system of legal representation for defendants who cannot afford counsel.

Rozic added, “That is why we passed this legislation – so that all New Yorkers, regardless of where they live, have access to quality legal representation.”

As a strong supporter of this effort, Rozic will join her colleagues in the fight to ensure this legislation is a priority in this year’s budget deliberations.