Overview
“If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: Thou shalt not ration justice.” Judge Learned Hand
The United States incarcerates individuals at a higher rate than any other country in the world. People who are incarcerated in prisons, jails, and detention centers still have fundamental human rights and are protected by the Constitution. The Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden is involved in matters that question and challenge judicial interpretations of rights that are guaranteed to the accused, defendants, prisoners, and detainees. These rights include the guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure, the right to due process of law, the right to a speedy trial and an impartial jury, and the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.
Through appellate advocacy, we routinely defend and advance the rights of the criminally accused in a wide variety of cases. We also work to protect the rights of those who are currently incarcerated to make sure they are detained in facilities that are safe and that their constitutional rights are not violated.
Moreover, after being released from prison, formerly incarcerated people often face significant barriers while reintegrating into the community. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and the judiciary, our attorneys provide pro bono legal services to formerly incarcerated people on a variety of issues, including expungement of criminal records.