Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company
The New York Times
January 1, 2001 Monday
Late Edition - Final
SECTION: Section A; Column 6; Editorial Desk; Pg. 12

LENGTH: 148 words

HEADLINE: Family Court Lawyers

BODY:


To the Editor:

Your Dec. 25 news analysis "Success Story for Children, but the Ending is Uncertain" captures the sense of hope that many of us feel about the substantial reforms of New York City's child welfare system.

But as administrators focus more attention on preventing removals of children, the governor and the State Legislature must approve rate increases for the lawyers who represent parents in Family Court.

The increasing lack of assigned counsel for these parents results in protracted stays in foster care while cases are adjourned daily until a lawyer is available.

As long as lawyers appointed to represent parents are paid $40 an hour for in-court representation and $25 an hour for out-of-court time, families will be underserved.

RONALD RICHTER
New York, Dec. 28, 2000

The writer is attorney in charge of the Manhattan office, Juvenile Rights Division, Legal Aid Society.

URL: http://www.nytimes.com

LOAD-DATE: January 1, 2001