Hiscock Legal Aid Society (HLA) is launching a Misdemeanor Defense Program, an initiative that will provide legal representation to individuals charged with misdemeanors and violations in Syracuse City Court.

Under this program, HLA will represent defendants from arraignment through final disposition, ensuring consistent, high-quality advocacy at every stage of the court process. Cases will be assigned by Syracuse City Court, and clients will receive dedicated legal counsel. 

“By adding this critical misdemeanor defense capacity, we’re strengthening the constitutional promise of equal justice under the law for people who face criminal charges each year,” says Gregory W. Dewan, Executive Director of Hiscock Legal Aid Society. 

The Misdemeanor Defense Program is designed to provide:

• Comprehensive legal representation in misdemeanor and violation cases.
  
  
• Immediate advocacy at arraignment, including bail arguments and release advocacy.
  
  
• Client-centered representation where attorneys work closely with individuals to understand their circumstances and provide them with legal options.
  
  
• Continuity of counsel from the beginning of the case through its resolution.
  
  

By offering end-to-end representation, the program ensures individuals facing criminal charges have meaningful access to their constitutional right to counsel. Misdemeanor charges can carry consequences such as jail time, fines, probation, and long-term impacts on employment, housing, and education. The program aims to mitigate these impacts through legal advocacy and thorough case management.

To support the initiative, HLA will add 17 new staff members, including 11 attorneys, significantly expanding its capacity to serve the Syracuse community. The organization expects to begin handling cases in Spring 2026, with operations scaling throughout the year to reach full capacity.