Assemblyman Brown Rallies for Increased Public Safety, Judicial Discretion at Capitol Press Conference
Assemblyman Ari Brown joins Minority lawmakers from both houses, crime victim advocates and members of law enforcement at a press conference in Albany on January 23, 2023 calling for an end to cashless bail and a return of judicial discretion.
Assemblyman Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst) today joined members of the Assembly and Senate Minority Conferences, crime victims and their families and members of law enforcement at a press conference to call for an end to the state’s dangerous cashless bail laws and the revolving door of criminal offenders in our court system. The press conference featured remarks from Tammy Patrick, whose father, John Lee, was murdered by an individual released from jail the previous day thanks to cashless bail laws.
“How much more violence must wash across our state before the governor and legislative leaders wake up and realize bail reform is not only broken, but deadly,” Brown asked. “Innocent victims are being pushed onto subway rails and assaulted in the streets, and Majority lawmakers are shamelessly standing by bail reform as the crown jewel of criminal justice reforms. I hope Gov. Hochul can start to lead with her conscious and bring public safety back to our state.”
Gov. Hochul indicated a willingness to tweak New York’s bail laws during this year’s State of the State Address. Today’s press conference follows the release of a new Siena College poll showing a majority of both Majority and Minority lawmakers believe crime is a serious problem across the state.