Support of legal aid and second opportunities: a conversation about the reform of the conviction – crime

The annual event this summer shows the participation of Proskauer in the Associates for Legal AID campaign (which has been given by Associates in the Top law firm in New York City), since both Proskauer and Legal Aid Society celebrate their 150^THAnniversaries in 2025.

The event was opened with comments by TED Hausman, who commissioned the Legal Aid Society of Legal Aid Society, who outlined the state of New York's convict landscape:

• More than 33,000 people are detained in New York.




• Over 5,000 people lose rates for more than 15 years.




• New York lacks a systemic method to secure the conviction relief for people who have overflowed rates and exhausted their appeals.

Mr. Hausman emphasized the need for a legislative reform, in particular on the proposed Second Look Act, which would enable New York judges to re -evaluate long sentences for individuals, to consider their rehabilitation and current circumstances. He also underlined the importance of the probation lawyer as a critical part of the efforts of legal aid to help those who have proven growth and willingness to re -enter.

One of the most moving moments of the event was a deeply moving conversation with Walter Johnson, whose powerful journey illuminates from a quintuble life penalty to the compassionate release in order to illuminate the effects of hard conviction laws and the power of the second opportunities.

After Mr. Johnson was convicted of “three strikes” according to the federal law, he spent almost three decades in prison before granting compassionate release. Despite the low hope of releasing during the detention, Mr. Johnson said that he committed himself to personal growth and supported the people around him by becoming a mentor and educator for co -breed, completing hundreds of voluntary programs and even became custody in the introduction of a sacrificial program that is now recognized in the entire prison system.

His commitment to growth and service was not unnoticed. Judge Fredric Block, the judge who had convicted him, moved by Mr. Johnson's extraordinary rehabilitation, ultimately granted him as part of the first step. Mr. Johnson spoke about how her relationship has since developed into a sensible partnership that is rooted in common values. In a powerful exhibition of the unit, the two recently appeared together in CBS News to share their history and support themselves for a broader reform. Mr. Johnson informed a touching moment when Richter Block gave him a signed copy of his 2024 book. A second chance: a federal judge decides who deserves one –A work that reflects its common belief in redemption and requires the convict reform through the lens of compassionate release cases in real life.

Mr. Johnson also spoke openly about his upbringing how the service in custody and the deep challenges that people look for when he returned back. He emphasized the critical role of the Pro -Bono right work and wrote to the lawyers who have taken over his case to change the course of his life by opening the door for a second chance.

Since his return home, Mr. Johnson has explained how he continued to serve others and had become a lawyer for the reform of the criminal justice. He is currently heading Champions at Change Inc., a non -profit organization that previously supports imprisoned people in reconstruction of their lives. His advocacy has also reached national media platforms on which he continues to tell his story to increase the conversation with rehabilitation and conviction reforms.

Especially in the event, the importance of Pro -Bono representative, the form of political reform and the tireless efforts of organizations such as legal aid when achieving access to the judiciary was emphasized. It served as a strong memory that the law is not static, and it is also the people who touch it. Mr. Johnson's convincing story dispersed any doubt that people can change and confirmed that those who not only deserve recognition, but also a real second chance.

Support of legal aid and second opportunities: a conversation about the conviction reform

The content of this article is intended to offer a general guide on the subject. Specialist advice should be sought through your specific circumstances.