Inside the Corrections System: Sentencing, DOCCS Discipline & VFOs in New York

Thursday April 16, 2026 from 4:30 – 6:30 PM, HYBRID (Virtual and Limited In-Person) Webinar over Zoom

NY Criminal Bar Association’s Craig Rothfeld, MACJ, MBA is a criminologist and pre- and post-sentencing consultant who is returning to provide practical, real-world insight into NYS sentencing strategy, prison classification, and release mechanisms. He will also discuss advanced advocacy within the DOCCS disciplinary hearing structure, and the ability for you to be “retained” counsel for Tier III disciplinary hearings. And he will take us all on a not-to-be-missed sentencing safari, stalking the elusive, mysterious and nearly ‘mythical’ VFO (violent felony override).

Craig presented two highly acclaimed programs last year on NY state and federal sentencing, and he is back to detail the vitally important information that you, your clients and their families need to know – and to answer your questions about the advice that every conscientious, expert and compassionate advocate needs to provide.

This is a HYBRID program, presented in-person for a limited audience at Aidala, Bertuna and Kamins, PC, 564 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036, and virtually over Zoom.The program has been approved for a maximum of two (2) NY State MCLE credit hours in Areas of Professional Practice. It is open to experienced and newly admitted attorneys alike.

The program is offered for FREE to all current 2026 NYCBA members, institutional defender office attorneys, and unemployed attorneys. Assigned counsel (NYC Assigned Counsel Plan [“18-B”] or federal CJA Panel members) may pay a discounted rate of $29.99.

If you are not an NYCBA member, institutional defender or unemployed attorney, you must either join the NYCBA (and receive this and every 2026 CLE program for free) or pay the nominal $39.99 program fee. (Financial aid is available for this program. Kindly consult the ‘Guide to New York Criminal Bar Association Financial Aid’ on our website or attached to the program flyer for further information.) Program registrations for non-NY Criminal Bar members, institutional defenders or unemployed attorneys will not be approved until the nominal or discounted nominal program fee is paid.