New York's bail reform still lacks necessary improvements

Andrew Cuomo recently stated that New York’s bail reform law has been corrected. He claimed that the issues related to judicial discretion have been addressed. This was said during a speech at a church in Harlem. Cuomo signed the original bail reform law in 2019, and he now appears to admit it was flawed. The original reform has been blamed for a rise in crime in New York City. After Cuomo’s resignation, new legislation introduced minor changes to the law, but these did not fundamentally change the original framework. Critics argue that the current bail law still lacks sufficient judicial discretion. Under the existing law, judges cannot set bail for many criminal charges, which undermines its purpose. The law does not allow judges to consider a defendant's dangerousness, even if there are signs of violent behavior or a history of repeat offenses. This has raised concerns about public safety. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch criticized the situation, describing the justice system as a "revolving door" for criminals. She emphasized the need for change, stating that there must be consequences for crimes, especially violent ones. As a candidate for Manhattan District Attorney, I support Tisch's call for reforms. New York needs a bail system that allows judges to consider all relevant factors, including a defendant’s potential danger to society. To improve public safety, judges should have the discretion to decide when bail should be set. Cuomo insists the issue is resolved, while other leaders have remained silent. The community needs new officials who will advocate for necessary reforms to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.