Agency Mission

The Capital Defender Office (CDO) was established under New York State's 1995 death penalty statute and was given the mandate to provide legal, investigative and expert witness services to indigent defendants who are charged, or could potentially be charged, with first degree murder.

Year-to-Year Change

The Executive recommends an overall increase to the Capital Defenders Office of $1,173,900. Less than four years old, the office continues to expand to meet demand.

Legislative Changes

The Assembly proposes no changes to the Executive's funding request and recommends that the implementation of the program be continued pursuant to current statutory and regulatory provisions.