Parry v. Onondaga County and The Assigned Counsel Program, Inc.
News
You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free.
- Clarence Darrow
The Parry Law Firm
of Syracuse, N.Y.
As many of you may know, I have brought suit against the County of
Onondaga for actions which violate the United States Constitution by depriving the less fortunate in our
community of their constitutional right to counsel. In a country created on the premise "that all men
are created equal" and are "endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights" it is a travesty that our neighbors do
not receive the rights which, in Onondaga County, are reserved only for the wealthy. It is certainly not
coincidental that most of those who are prejudiced by these practices are African-American, Hispanic or members of other
disinfranchised minority groups. Whether you belong to one of these groups or not, it remains a distinct possibility that the
County's wrongful policies may one day affect you or someone you know.
The
link above will take you to a brief outline and court documents are be included as well. Please consider as you read, not
only the dangers these actions pose for all citizens but the scandalous fact that every politician in Onondaga
County is aware of the problem and has done absolutely nothing. Justice cannot exist in the County of Onondaga as long
as our local officials stand in the way of the Constitution. I am sure you will find your local County government
an utter embarrassment along with most of the legal community in Onondaga County.
To be clear, I am not a member of the minority groups most affected by these illegal policies. I am a middle-aged, white American who
happens to ba a lawyer. Still, I felt compelled to assume the responsibility of this cause out of a
deep sense of duty and the heartfelt conviction that all men and women are equal under the law. I simply cannot
standby while the poor are deprived of a fair trial. At considerable expense and with little more than the encouragement of a
few friends, I have prosecuted this matter and a trial is now scheduled for October 4, 2010. For absolutely no fee, I am representing
several people who have been personally deprived as a result of this County policy. In the meantime, I will be appearing before the
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court to ask them to declare the actions of the County illegal. In return, and in the
belief that injustice cannot withstand public scrutiny, I only ask that you take the time to understand the issues
facing the poor in Onondaga County. With your attention and understanding we can restore a respect for
the law in this, our home. I invite your comments by e-mail.
- Jeff Parry