One of the last sticking point in budget negotiations is the reformation of the state’s discovery laws pertaining to prosecution of criminal cases.
According to the Governor’s Office, since New York state’s discovery laws were reformed in 2019, dismissals in cases involving domestic violence rose 26 percent in New York City. In 2023, about 94 percent of cases were dismissed in New York City and nearly 50 percent were dismissed outside of New York City.
Domestic violence survivors joined the governor this week to say they feel at greater risk when cases against their abusers are dismissed on technicalities. However, one leading opponent of changing the current discovery laws says the reports and statistics cited by the governor are misleading…