Statement from Senator Patty Ritchie on Criminal Justice Reforms

In less than 24 hours, sweeping criminal justice reforms will take effect in New York State. These reforms, advanced by far-left downstate Democrats, threaten public safety and put the rights of criminals above those of law-abiding New Yorkers.

While there is room for common sense changes to the system, these go much too far. Under the reforms, dozens of felonies—including violent and serious offenses like aggravated vehicular homicide, failure to register as a sex offender, making a terroristic threat, second-degree manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds, among others—will no longer qualify for bail. Additionally, it is deeply concerning that these reforms were enacted without consultation from those on the front lines of fighting crime and keeping our communities safe—including law enforcement, prosecutors and other justice experts.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen  a series of shocking crimes, along with dangerous individuals being released into communities where they committed them. I fear once these reforms to into effect, this trend will continue.

Since day one, I have opposed these dangerous reforms, and today I join my colleagues in calling for common sense changes to these flawed laws that will put the safety of New Yorkers first.