NEW YORK COUNTY DEFENDER SERVICES (NYCDS) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF NEW YORK STATE. AS SUCH, MANY OF ITS OBLIGATIONS ARE DEFINED BY LAW. NYCDS' PURPOSE IS TO REPRESENT INDIGENT PERSONS IN RESOLVING THEIR LEGAL DIFFICULTIES. THIS PRIMARILY INVOLVES REPRESENTING PERSONS CHARGED WITH CRIMES IN THE MANHATTAN COURTS. NYCDS ALSO REPRESENTS PERSONS AT SCHOOL BOARD HEARINGS, PERSONS CHARGED WITH PAROLE VIOLATIONS, AND HANDLES OTHER PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO CRIMINAL CHARGES. NYCDS STRIVES TO PROVIDE TOP-QUALITY REPRESENTATION, EVEN THOUGH OUR CLIENTS CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY. ALL EMPLOYEES OF NYCDS ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE SERVING THE CLIENT IN WHATEVER WAY POSSIBLE THEIR TOP PRIORITY.