Criminal Justice Section Awards

For more than 30 years, the NYSBA Criminal Justice Section has presented awards for outstanding service in the criminal justice system. The awards have expanded to include 12 different award categories representing the many different aspects of the criminal justice system. Awards are presented at the Section’s luncheon during the NYSBA’s Annual Meeting in New York City in January. Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination.

Persons who are ineligible for an award:
Previous award winners in a category will not be approved again in the category. A person may be nominated an approved for an award in a different category after 3 years. Check to see if your nominee is listed in the Alphabetical Listing of Past Award Recipients.

Nomination Deadline: Friday, October 2020

See below for lists of previous award recipients grouped by award.

Submissions:
You may nominate in one or more categories by submitting an additional ballot/s; however, you are urged to supply supporting documentation and comment for each nominee of at least 25-50 words describing the nominee's significant achievements.

You must disclose how you know the nominee. For example: You work on a committee with the person; s/he was your adversary or represented a co-defendant in a trial; s/he is your employee/er, relative or friend; you read about the person on the media.

There are two ways to submit a nomination:
1. Submit your nomination online here. Additional documentation is strongly recommended and can be submitted within the online nomination, emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Amy Jasiewicz, Section Liaison, NYSBA, One Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207 

2. Download and print the Nomination Ballot, and mail the completed ballot and supporting documentation to: Amy Jasiewicz, Section Liaison, NYSBA, One Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207.


Awards

Click below to view past recipients.

ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

Charles F. Crimi Memorial Award
To recognize the professional career of a defense lawyer in private practice that embodies the highest ideals of the Criminal Justice Section.

David S. Michaels Memorial Award
To recognize courageous efforts in promoting integrity, justice, and fairness in the criminal justice system.

Outstanding Appellate Practitioner
Established in 2003, to recognize outstanding advocacy, protection of due process and the public welfare, and the integrity of the judicial system by defense attorneys and prosecutors.

Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Correctional Services
To acknowledge outstanding contributions in the field of correctional services.

Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Criminal Justice Legislation
To recognize outstanding work in proposing or implementing needed reforms, which specifically includes political action and fundamental research into the operation and effectiveness of the entire criminal justice system.

Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Criminal Law Education
To recognize outstanding work in criminal law education, the promotion of interest in the practice of criminal law, and the provision to students the opportunity to gain practical insight into the operation of the criminal justice system.

Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Public Information
In recognition of a significant effort to acquaint the public and the bar with the operation of the criminal justice system; to alert the public to the problems besetting that system; and to foster dedication to the preservation of liberty through law.

Outstanding Contribution to the Bar and the Community
Special recognition for service to the bar and the community.

Outstanding Police Contribution in the Criminal Justice System
To recognize outstanding efforts to improve the police function within the criminal justice system.

Outstanding Prosecutor
To recognize a prosecutor who has made special contributions to not only the prosecution community, but to the bar at large, and whose professional conduct evidences a true understanding of a public prosecutor’s duty to advance the fair and ethical administration of criminal justice.

The Michele S. Maxian Award for Outstanding Public Defense Practitioner
Recognizes an outstanding public defense practitioner.

The Vincent E. Doyle, Jr. Award for Outstanding Judicial Contribution in the Criminal Justice System
To honor outstanding judicial effort to improve the administration of the criminal justice system.