Tedisco on Potential Changes to Catch & Release Bail Law

“Clearly, we’ve struck a nerve as something positive regarding ending the catch and release bail law appears to be moving forward. If imitation is the highest form of flattery, I couldn’t be more flattered. One day after I held a press conference with sheriffs and local officials on the front lines of our criminal justice system and about three years after I first raised alarms about the revolving door of danger and disaster that’s the bail and discovery reform law and introduced a bi-partisan bill to bring discretion back to our judiciary, the Governor is reportedly just realizing what a huge and deadly mistake the Cuomo/Hochul Administration and the Legislative Majorities made that’s placed innocent, honest law-abiding citizens in harm’s way.”

“The Governor’s changes discussed in the New York Post’s article are basically contained in my bi-partisan legislation (S.1521/A.1705) to give judges discretion again, reduce crime and restore common sense to our criminal justice system.” 

“The Governor’s proposed legislation should be negotiated openly, transparently and should include input from all stakeholders including law enforcement, district attorneys, judges and parole/probation officials and it should be introduced as a stand-alone bill and not part of a budget bill as has been past practice with the Cuomo/Hochul Administration.”

“The sad part is how many lives have been impacted and lost because of a mistake that took place which has taken three years for this Administration and their supporters to own up to. We are here to take an oath of office to represent our constituents and keep the public safe, not to continue to defend and keep providing excuses for the mistakes of the past.”