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NYC’s Floundering ‘Right to Counsel’ Fails to Keep Pace With Eviction Cases

6 Comments

  • Sophie
    Posted January 3, 2023 at 3:18 pm

    Great investigation Annie and Frank! I learned so much

  • Jenny
    Posted January 3, 2023 at 11:23 pm

    I honestly never reply in the comments, but I felt compelled to here. I agree with the commenter above that this is indeed a rigorous investigatory piece that delves deeply into the issues plaguing RTC with nuance and detail.

    However, I cannot get past the framing of the headline and the summary at the top of the article–i.e., the characterization of RTC as “floundering” and “falling short.” As the article makes clear in paragraph one, RTC is exceptionally successful and,–as conveyed roughly half way through–RTC attorneys are working well above their standard case loads to make it work.
    It’s not the RTC program itself that is “falling short,” it is the New York State Court system’s unwillingness to create the conditions for it to succeed.

    Framing matters immensely, and I think that CityLimits could have done a much better job here. It’s like saying that “recyling is failing” instead of U.S. waste management policies, or that “public schools are failing” instead of focusing on the systems that under-resource them. I honestly expected so much better from this site, and hope you’ll consider a revision that does the article justice.

  • ____
    Posted January 4, 2023 at 11:43 pm

    The courts themselves don’t even have the proper levels of staffing to handle the workload and the staff that’s there doesn’t have the time to get things done.

  • Cecilia Gullas
    Posted March 22, 2023 at 6:13 pm

    My case at Queens County New York State Supreme Court with Justice Denis Butler was scheduled and rescheduled several times. I would get an e-mail that a date was set for my case at the court. When I would go to the court house, leaving my house early in the morning to be at the court at 9:30 the room was closed. No notice provided where to go. At the very least the court could have informed me via e-mail informing me that the case has been postposed. Nothing at all. This was so disrespectful of the court. It has scheduled and rescheduled for at least 6 times. When it was cancelled nobody informed me. Shameless court of Judge Butler.

  • Cecilia Gullas
    Posted March 22, 2023 at 6:15 pm

    My case at Queens County New York State Supreme Court with Justice Denis Butler was scheduled and rescheduled several times. I would get an e-mail that a date was set for my case at the court. When I would go to the court house, leaving my house early in the morning to be at the court at 9:30 the room was closed. No notice provided where to go. At the very least the court could have informed me via e-mail informing me that the case has been postposed. Nothing at all. This was so disrespectful of the court. Shameless court of Judge Butler.

  • JIMENEZ MAZZITELLI MORDES
    Posted August 6, 2024 at 5:59 am

    The article highlights the challenges New York City’s Right to Counsel program is facing in keeping up with the volume of eviction cases post-moratorium. As a lawyer, I can certainly appreciate the strain on legal aid services due to high caseloads and limited resources. The lack of awareness about the program among tenants, combined with the fast pace of court proceedings, further exacerbates the situation. It’s clear that while the Right to Counsel law has had a positive impact in deterring eviction filings, its effectiveness is hampered by systemic issues. This could be a valuable lesson for other jurisdictions considering similar legislation. It’s crucial to ensure adequate funding and resources for legal aid services, as well as to implement measures to slow down the pace of eviction cases to allow for proper representation. Additionally, increasing public awareness about the program is vital to ensure eligible tenants can access their right to counsel.

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