PRESS RELEASES
National and Local Domestic Violence and Women's
Organizations Condemn New York State Appellate Court's
Decision to Suspend the Legal License of Attorney Barry
Goldstein, a Leading Advocate for Battered Mothers Inside and Outside the Courtroom
February 13, 2009 |
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Attorney Barry Goldstein had charges brought against him by the judge in the case of a domestic violence victim who he represented after he protested a decision of the judge on an internet blog. As a result of this and other charges, the Appellate Court suspended his law license for 5 years. This vindictive violation of his first amendment rights was protested by leading women’s and domestic violence organizations in a letter to the justices of the Appellate Court, the NYS attorney general, and the governor. The statement they sent is printed below.
To: Governor David Patterson
Attorney General Cuomo
Justices of the Appellate Court, State of New York
The attendees at the Sixth Annual Battered Mothers Custody Conference, held in Albany, New York in January, 2009, voted to strongly protest the Appellate Court's recent decision to suspend, for five years, the license of attorney Barry Goldstein. We view Mr. Goldstein as one of the most dedicated and hard working advocates for battered mothers and their children, not only in New York State but in this nation. As called for by the ethical canons of his profession, Mr. Goldstein has vigorously defended battered mothers who, in trying to protect their children from abusive ex-partners, have been re-victimized by unjust and harmful decisions by family court judges. This egregious action on the part of the appellate court can only serve to discourage and suppress the efforts of attorneys to vigorously defend battered mothers for fear that they, too, will face retaliation by the court system. As fellow advocates for battered mothers, we pledge to widely publicize and condemn this decision.
Signatories:
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Organization for Women, New York State
The Annual Battered Mothers Custody Conference
StopFamilyViolence.org
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