Area lawmakers and public safety officials are angry over criminal justice reform legislation passed with the New York state budget that they say could put the public’s safety at risk and be extremely costly to area municipalities. Rockland Sheriff Lou Falco says besides the added costs, criminal defendants are given more latitude in their defense…
The new laws don’t take effect until January. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says compliance could cost Rockland anywhere between half-a-million and 1.2 million dollars…
Western Ramapo and Orange County Assemblyman Karl Brabenec says the elimination of cash bail, also known as “catch and release,” allows defendants to walk free hours after they’re arrested. He says this sets a dangerous precedent for the criminal justice system.