NY Court to consider legal services for the poor

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's top court is hearing arguments in a class-action lawsuit that accuses the state of failing to provide effective legal representation to the poor.

The New York Civil Liberties Union sued the state in 2007, claiming flaws in the court system violate the state constitution and the Sixth Amendment by preventing the poor from getting adequate legal representation.

The lawsuit claims the state has failed to provide sufficient funding, oversight and standards for the court system, which has resulted in unfair convictions, longer sentences and absent attorneys.

The Court of Appeals will hear arguments Tuesday.







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