The state Association of Chiefs of Police are pushing for changes to the state’s bail reform law.
RochesterFirst.com quotes Association Executive Director Patrick Phelan as saying he thinks cash bail should be eliminated, but he thinks judges should have more discretion to hold suspects before trial. The Association has drafted a bill that would make changes to the law. The proposal would limit the number of appearance tickets given to repeat offenders, change the Raise the Age law, which limits how younger offenders can be charged and would limit the discovery process, in which defense attorneys are given access to evidence against their clients.
The Chiefs unveiled their proposal at an Albany news conference. The bail reform law took effect in 2020, and has come under heavy criticism since from law enforcement officials and Republican lawmakers.
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