Opinion
02 CR 1301 (VM)
08-16-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. JAIME CHAVEZ, Defendant.
ORDER
VICTOR MARRERO, United States District Judge.
By letter dated June 23, 2020, defendant Jaime Chavez (“Chavez”) requested appointment of counsel to assist him in briefing a motion for compassionate release or sentence reduction under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(i)(A). (See Dkt. No. 197.) Upon review of his submissions, the Court determined that “appointment of counsel would be beneficial in this case, ” and appointed the Federal Defenders of New York to assist Chavez in the evaluation of his claims. (Id.)
Subsequently, the Federal Defenders of New York discovered a conflict, and the Court issued an order on August 21, 2020, substituting counsel and appointing C.J.A. attorney Peter Brill of Brill Legal Group, P.C. to assist Chavez as previously directed. (See Dkt. No. 199.)
By letter dated February 11, 2021, Chavez informed the Court that he had spoken to Peter Brill “briefly” but was unable to address his concerns during the conversion, and had had significant difficulty contacting his attorney since then. (See Dkt. No. 200.) Accordingly, the Court directed Peter Brill to respond to the matter raised in Chavez's letter. (Id.) Since then, there has been no record of any proceedings or filings of any papers or correspondence with the Court.
By submission dated August 3, 2021, Chavez again moved, pro se, for compassionate release or reduction of sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3582 (c)(1)(A), explicitly referencing his previous motion and raising substantially similar arguments. (See attached motion.)
Accordingly, counsel for Chavez, Peter Brill, is hereby directed to respond, within three (3) days of the date of this Order, regarding the status of the pending motions and his intention with regard to future proceedings in this matter.
SO ORDERED.