Imagine facing the loss of your freedom. Imagine being imprisoned. Imagine being seen as just another "case" and presumed guilty in an overburdened criminal justice system that values expediency above all. Now imagine your fear when, because you cannot afford your own lawyer, the State sends one in. Someone you've never seen; someone you didn't choose; someone you have no reason to trust. That is the experience of tens of thousands of people coming through the doors of the Bronx courthouses each year who must rely on public defenders for help and hope. Through the unwavering dedication of our lawyers, social workers, investigators, and support staff, we at The Bronx Defenders have transformed the role of the public defender by changing the nature of the attorney-client relationship, investing in the communities where our clients live, and striving to create justice for the people we serve. Every client is forcefully defended by our talented staff of lawyers. As important, our defenders and social workers continue to work with clients long after their court cases have been resolved. Whether they confront issues such as addiction, family violence or mental illness, we work with our clients to address the problems that have brought them into the system. The Bronx Defenders' participation in national and local conversations about indigent criminal defense has helped shape a new model of public defense that, with time and with hope, will help the public defense community and the criminal justice system to see every client as a person worthy of respect. Robin G. Steinberg Executive Director The Bronx Defenders

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