Article
Source: New York Law Journal
Article
03.31.25
In a recent commentary, Former Presiding Justice of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department and Litigation partner Rolando Acosta discusses the impact of the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA) in New York in the context of a pro bono representation by Pillsbury. The DVSJA was passed in 2019 and allows judges to consider domestic abuse when sentencing offenders.
The commentary highlights a case involving a young woman convicted of second-degree murder after killing her abuser, who had subjected her to years of abuse prior to the crime. Her legal team, including Pillsbury’s Brianna Walsh and Danielle Stefanucci, applied for re-sentencing under the DVSJA, and she was ultimately re-sentenced to time served, resulting in her release after 10 years in prison.
Acosta commended the collective efforts of the legal team, the District Attorney and the court in securing the young woman’s release, while also emphasizing the need for second chances for survivors of domestic violence, particularly those who have been failed by the traditional justice system.
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