New York County Defender Services

New York County Defender Services first opened our doors in 1997. Our original team of 13 attorneys banded together to provide people accused of crimes in Manhattan with the highest quality legal representation in the city.

More than twenty years later, NYCDS is now one of the premier public defender offices in the nation. We have represented more than 300,000 clients in Manhattan Criminal and Supreme Courts and developed deep expertise in many criminal defense sub-specialties.

Our team numbers more than 100 staff, including 70 attorneys. We pride ourselves on our commitment to training and continuing education with a particular emphasis on building and developing trial skills.

NYCDS clients benefit from a diverse defense team that includes experienced trial attorneys, social workers, highly skilled investigators, paralegals and support staff.