Senator Ranzenhofer Working to Keep Our Communities Safe

Several significant criminal justice laws were passed during the 2019 Legislative Session. These new laws included eliminating cash bail for those arrested of certain felonies and all misdemeanors.

I share the concerns of law enforcement officials and District Attorneys across New York regarding the implementation of cashless bail. Drug dealing is not considered a violent crime and in many circumstances, drug dealers pedaling opioids and other dangerous substances will be allowed to walk free without bail as they await trial. Along with drug dealing, there is a long list of crimes that will no longer qualify for bail.

Offenses that after January 1, 2020 will no longer qualify for bail in New York State:

• Aggravated assault upon a person less than 11 years old
• Aggravated cruelty to animals, overdriving, torturing and injuring animals
• Aggravated vehicular homicide
• Arson in the third and fourth degree
• Criminal negligent homicide
• Criminal possession of a weapon on school groups
• Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree
• Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first and second degree
• Criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds
• Criminal sale of a firearm to a minor
• Failure to register as a sex offender
• Grand larceny in the first degree
• Making a terroristic threat
• Manslaughter in the second degree
• Patronizing a person for prostitution in a school zone
• Promoting a sexual performance by a child
• Unlawful imprisonment in the first degree