Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging lawmakers to back her proposed changes to New York’s discovery laws, arguing they will prevent case dismissals over minor technicalities. Her plan adjusts evidence disclosure standards, deadlines, and penalties, but legislative leaders remain skeptical.
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie’s competing proposal would streamline access to police evidence for prosecutors but avoids altering disclosure timelines or penalties. Advocates, including the NAACP and The Legal Aid Society, argue Hochul’s plan undermines key 2020 reforms, blaming police non-compliance for delays rather than the law itself.
Despite opposition, district attorneys outside New York City support Hochul’s plan, saying it would speed up case processing and reduce dismissals. With budget negotiations intensifying, the fate of discovery reform remains uncertain.
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