Repeal Bail Reforms To Save Lives Says Norris

Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C,I,Ref-Lockport) joined Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) and members of their conference at a press conference to call for the immediate repeal of the new bail “reforms” which have caused confusion, fear and serious public safety concerns across the state. The lawmakers were joined by members of the law enforcement community and the families of two women who were killed (in two separate incidents) by persons who were released due to the bail reforms.

Norris opposed these enacted reforms last year when they passed in the budget and has stood with local law enforcement officials and like-minded legislators in the fall urging a moratorium before they took effect on January 1, 2020

“A full repeal is necessary right now! This matter needs to be immediately addressed by the downstate driven majority legislature and Governor so that New Yorkers can remain safe in our communities,” Norris said.

Because they have failed to act, Norris says the best thing to do would be a full repeal immediately. He said, “This would give Albany and law enforcement time to sit down and discuss the matter before putting a new, safer and more thoughtful measure into effect.”

“These sweeping changes never should have happened in this way. It was irresponsible to remove so much judicial discretion,” said Norris. “By not allowing judges to decide if or how bail should be set in many of these cases, Albany has removed a critical public protection tool. Furthermore, it is extremely concerning to hear about cases all across our state where dangerous, repeat offenders are being set free only to commit new heinous acts – sometimes even on the same day they are released.”

Norris pointed to a case earlier this week where a New York City man was released only to go on a “slugging spree” across lower Manhattan, resulting in him being rearrested on assault charges. He also pointed to a case in Rochester where a man previously convicted of shooting a police officer was arrested for new felony drug crimes. Other incidents include a man from Hoosick Falls being accused of using an axe to break the windsheld of a female victim’s car while she was inside the vehicle and an Albany man was charged with recklessly choking and stabbing a woman last year were caught, but then released under these changes.

In addition to the district attorneys and sheriffs that joined Norris and his colleagues at today’s press conference, the families of Maria “Rosie” Osai and Sarah Tombs, two New Yorkers who were killed in separate incidents by individuals who were released due to the new bail “reforms,” also spoke about the impact the new laws have had on their families, their grief and their inability to seek justice.