ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Speaking in a gaggle with reporters Monday afternoon following a funding announcement surrounding public safety, Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the topic of Criminal Justice reforms, specifically Bail Reform Laws.
These were first enacted in 2019 under then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, initially taking effect in 2020, and ended cash bail for misdemeanors, as well as low-level felonies.
Gov. Hochul gives public safety update in Rochester
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the measure was revised three times in four years. Governor Hochul took office in 2021 with amendments to bail reform happening in 2022, and then 2023 under the state budget.
In Rochester Monday, Hochul did not directly state whether or not she would be open to additional amendments and what those may entail – instead saying they needed the “benefit of time” to see if the adjustments have been effective.
“I believe if you look at the numbers on how the re-arrest rate has gone down — it was 24% before we took these steps, it is now down to 14% statewide. Also, I want everyone to look at the fact that we put in place laws that give prosecutors and judges the tools they need — there’s a disparity: a statewide disparity in how these are being applied,” Hochul said.