Defenders

Legal Defenders of the Planet: $3 Million in Fees Awarded in Pivotal Climate Lawsuit

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BOSTON — In a groundbreaking climate lawsuit, attorneys have been awarded $3 million in legal fees for their successful efforts in representing a group of young advocates challenging the federal government’s inaction on climate change. This significant payout highlights both the urgency of climate-related legal battles and the increasing recognition of legal costs associated with these cases. The case, dubbed Juliana v. United States, was filed by 21 youths who argue that the government’s support of fossil fuels violates their constitutional rights to a stable climate system. The lawsuit has sparked extensive legal debates and … Read more

New Jersey Supreme Court Upholds Public Defender’s Counsel in Deportation Case Despite Client’s Misrepresentation of Citizenship

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TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a deportation following a guilty plea does not automatically indicate ineffective assistance of counsel, even when a public defender relies on a client’s false claim of U.S. citizenship. In a 5-2 decision, the state’s highest court overturned a prior ruling from a lower court which had determined that public defender Carol Wentworth failed in her duties by not investigating Juan C. Hernandez-Peralta’s immigration status prior to sentencing. Hernandez-Peralta had pleaded guilty in 2019 to charges of burglary and robbery, which subsequently led to … Read more

Navigating Legal Choices: The Crucial Decision Between Public Defenders and Private Attorneys in El Paso

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EL PASO, Texas — The choice between a public defender and a privately hired attorney can heavily influence the trajectory of a criminal case, often determining the level of legal support a defendant receives. Public defenders are appointed by the government to represent individuals who lack the financial means to hire a private lawyer. While dedicated to their clients, these legal advocates frequently contend with overwhelming caseloads that may hinder their ability to provide adequate, personalized service. Attorney Daniela Labinoti explained that public defenders serve as essential legal representatives for those who cannot afford private … Read more

Global Crackdown on Lawyers Undermines Justice: From Russia to the US, Legal Defenders Face Unprecedented Threats

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Lawyers who have chosen to defend controversial and politically sensitive cases often face severe repercussions, including harassment, disbarment, and imprisonment. Repressive regimes worldwide are known to target legal professionals to suppress dissent, a practice observed from Russia to Iran and China. In Russia, the crackdown on opposition voices extends beyond the incarceration of political figures to their legal defenders. Following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in an Arctic prison colony, his lawyers Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin were sentenced to several years in jail for allegedly participating in an “extremist organization” … Read more