The coming implementation of criminal justice law changes will lead to a savings for local governments, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on Tuesday said.
“I think that over time if there’s less people who are actually in jail then there’s less cost of supervising people in jail, so I think it will eventually lead to a cost savings,” Heastie said.
His comments line up largely with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s argument: Ending cash bail for misdemeanor and non-violent felonies will lead to a savings for local governments that they can put toward the costs of the changes, like making evidence available on a faster basis for the defense.
Law enforcement officials, local prosecutors and some state lawmakers have called for a delay in the implementation of the changes over both public safety and cost concerns.
But Heastie said the current system of letting some people free through paying bail and others remain in jail is unequal.
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