During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan (R,C-Manchester) emphasized the need for legislative reforms to better protect crime victims in New York State. Gallahan criticized the state’s current policies for favoring the rights of perpetrators over victims and pledged to champion measures that prioritize victim rights.
Gallahan sponsored several proposals aimed at enhancing legal protections for crime victims, including increasing penalties for repeated domestic violence and modifying bail considerations to account for potential community harm. He also supported reforms to empower judges in pre-trial decisions and to improve victim representation in parole processes.
The week was marked by calls from both Gallahan and Jennifer Harrison, founder of Victims Rights NY, for a shift back to law and order. They highlighted the failure of lenient policies and stressed the importance of giving victims a greater voice in judicial proceedings. The proposals include extending protections, increasing victim involvement in parole hearings, and intensifying penalties for crimes against police officers and first responders.
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