Squadron Passes 1st Step In Speedy Trial Reform Through Codes Committee

Squadron Urges Full Senate Action and Continues Advocacy for Comprehensive “Kalief’s Law”

ALBANY – State Senator Daniel Squadron released the following statement on the Senate Codes Committee's passage of his bill S.6500, co-sponsored by Codes Committee Chair Senator Lanza and Vice Chair Senator Savino. The compromise bill comes in response to New York’s speedy trial crisis:

“Far too often, New Yorkers’ right to a speedy trial is undermined by a failed process that is a relic of the Rockefeller era.

“The Codes Committee’s passage of this bill to address timely criminal trial scheduling is a first step toward fixing New York’s speedy trial crisis. With support on all sides of the aisle, the Codes Committee has affirmed that this is an issue everyone can and should support, regardless of party or power.

“I urge the Senate Rules Committee to act on this reform, and the Senate leadership to allow a full floor vote. The Assembly’s unanimous passage of the more comprehensive ‘Kalief’s Law’ shows broad support for speedy trial reform -- it's important the Senate act quickly to make reform a reality.

“Thank you to Senators Lanza and Savino and my Codes Committee colleagues who supported the bill, as well as Assemblymember Aubry, the Katal Center, JLUSA, Working Families, VOCAL, Bronx Defenders, Brooklyn Defenders, Legal Aid, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, and the many advocates, organizations, and impacted New Yorkers calling for a better system.”

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Squadron has worked on the state’s speedy trial crisis since introducing Kalief’s Law following Kalief Browder’s death. He introduced S.6500 with Senators Lanza and Savino at the end of May. He has previously written about ‘Kalief’s Law’ in the Daily News, the New York Times, and to the New York City Council.