The New York State Court of Appeals is considering a case that goes to the heart of the values we hold dear----the right of indigent defendants to be represented by competent attorneys.

The Brennan Center has supported a complete elimination of the inequalities in sentencing for crack and powder cocaine offenses, and is hopeful that the Senate Passage of the Fair Sentencing Act (at a reduced, but not eliminated ratio) will not be the final chapter in the overall fight to bring about parity in sentencing and an ending to this type of discrimination.