At The Legal Aid Society our Civil, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Rights, and Pro Bono practices work tirelessly in and out of the courtroom to defend our clients and dismantle the hidden, systemic barriers that can prevent them from thriving in New York City. We seek to be a beacon of hope for those who feel neglected —regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they identify. Our experienced teams provide comprehensive services, support, and advocacy that protect rights, keep families and communities together, and in many cases, saves lives. We have an intrinsic connection to the daily lives of New Yorkers. Here are a few of the places we made a difference, provided context or added valuable perspective this week:

Governor Cuomo signs bill further decriminalizing marijuana but issues remain for LAS clients

Politico: Cuomo signs bill decriminalizing marijuana, allows for wiping records
Newsday: NY further decriminalizes marijuana; past convictions will be sealed
Staten Island Advance: Marijuana decriminalized in New York with Cuomo’s final approval Monday
Wall Street Journal: Gov. Cuomo Signs Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana Use
El Diario: Gobernador firma ley para despenalizar la posesión de marihuana en NY
NYLJ: NY Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Is Signed Into Law by Cuomo
NY Daily News: Cuomo signs bill decriminalizing pot use but critics say it doesn’t go far enough
Associated Press: New York reduces penalties for marijuana possession
WXXI: New York law further decriminalizes marijuana possession
News12: New York reduces penalties for marijuana possession 
QNS: Cuomo inks bill decriminalizing small marijuana possession
Patch: Bill Further Decriminalizing Pot Signed By NY Governor
Brooklyn Paper: Cuomo inks bill decriminalizing small marijuana possession
Forbes: NAACP, ACLU And Allies Demand Congress Pass Marijuana Bill With Justice Focus

Layleen Polanco’s cause of death determined

Out: Layleen Polanco’s Family Demands Answers Following Autopsy Report
Patch: Seizure Caused Layleen Polanco’s Death On Rikers Island: City
THE CITY: Layleen Polanco Died of Epileptic Seizure in Solitary, Autopsy Reveals
AP News: ME: Transgender inmate’s death related to epileptic seizure
Daily News: Transgender woman found dead in Rikers Island cell died as a result of her epilepsy

NYPD splashing controversy continues

Queens Daily Eagle: NYPD traffic agents doused with water in Woodhaven
AMNY: Throwing water at police would be a felony under bill by state lawmakers
WSJ: New York State Bill Would Make Dousing a Police Officer a Felony
NY Daily News: Spraying cops with water could be felony under state legislation
NY Daily News: Kids, some as young as 11, now in NYPD’s facial recognition database

The fight continues over gravity knife convictions

Bronx Justice News: Bronx DA To Vacate Gravity Knife Convictions After Statute’s Repeal
Queens Daily Eagle: NYC’s DAs differ on vacating old gravity knife convictions
Patch: NYC Prosecutors Split On Handling Of Gravity Knife Convictions

More LAS in the news

Brooklyn Daily Eagle: The trio fighting to free innocent New Yorkers from prison
Next City: Is Rent Control a ‘Taking’ of Landlords’ Property?
Telemundo: “Es vergonzoso”: Trump sobre humillación a oficiales
The Appeal: New York City’s Homeless Diversion Program is ‘Smoke and Mirrors’
NY1 Noticias: Sujeto acusado de varios cargos por haber tirado agua a dos mujeres policías
New York County Politics: Housing Advocates Clash with Slighted Parents at Epstein’s Town Hall
El Diario: Crea polémica orden de criminalizar actos como mojar a policías en la calles
NY Daily News: Immigration courts in NYC lack staff, resources, and interpreters
NY Daily News: LAS calls for cooler conditions in city jails as 90-degree temperatures loom
Long Island Press: New Rent Rules Sound Sweet for Tenants, While Landlords Sing Blues
The Chief: Dousing Cops No Joke
Queens Daily Eagle: More than 80 cops have been named in Queens lawsuits this year
Gothamist: NYPD Misconduct Lawsuits Have Already Cost NYC Taxpayers $40 Million This Year
THE CITY: AOC Makes a Bronx census push amind fears of lost house seats