Senator Steve Rhoad, Senate Republicans, and Nassau DA Donnelly Call for Discovery Law Reforms in State Budget

ALBANY, NY – New York State Senator Steve Rhoads, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly and members of the Senate Republican Conference today urged the Governor and Legislature to include substantive discovery reforms in this year’s final budget. Senate Republicans highlighted the need to fix the broken criminal justice system and equip those who work in law enforcement with the tools needed to protect victims, families and communities. 

“As a prosecutor with over 32 years of experience, and as the District Attorney of one of the largest counties in the state, I’ve witnessed firsthand how 'Cashless Bail' and 'Discovery Reform’ Laws have compromised public safety. Since the implementation of these laws, we’ve seen a revolving door of justice, where criminals walk free on technicalities while victims continue to

suffer. These laws have made it harder for law enforcement and prosecutors to do their jobs, jeopardizing public safety and leaving our communities vulnerable. This is not a justice system that protects the people of New York,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

“New Yorkers deserve a criminal justice system that prioritizes the safety of law-abiding citizens, not one that lets criminals walk free due to bureaucratic failures. Since the 2019 discovery law changes, we’ve seen a staggering increase in case dismissals, making it harder for prosecutors to hold offenders accountable. The Governor’s proposed reforms were a step forward, but Senate Democrats have once again refused to act. Public safety isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a fundamental responsibility. Our communities, law enforcement, and crime victims deserve better, and I stand with my Senate Republican colleagues in demanding real common sense discovery changes in this year’s state budget,” said Senator Steve Rhoads.

“Our Senate Republican Conference has been sounding the alarms on the disastrous consequences of so-called discovery reform since it was implemented in 2019. And the results speak for themselves: criminal case dismissals are increasing dramatically, less cases are going to trial, and more criminals are slipping through the cracks, further eroding public safety in our communities. The reforms proposed by the Governor in her budget were at least a step in the right direction, but once again our colleagues in the Senate Majority have shown they have zero regard for public safety. It’s time to stop prioritizing criminals over crime victims,” blasted Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

“Since 2019, the Legislature has had its thumb on the scales of justice in favor of criminal defendants, and it has come at the expense of victims and public safety. Cases brought forward, which arise from real harm inflicted upon victims and communities, should not be dismissed due to minor technicalities. Victims deserve better, communities deserve better, and all New Yorkers deserve better, which is why it is urgent that we fix our discovery laws,” stated Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.

“Fixing Discovery and protecting victims shouldn’t be a political issue, but the Democrats in the legislature continue to make it part of their pro-criminal agenda. It’s time to stop promoting criminal behavior and start protecting the victims of crime,” stated Senator Alexis Weik.

“The 2019 changes to discovery laws, while perhaps well-intentioned, have had disastrous consequences for victims of crime, especially women survivors of domestic violence. 

Since their adoption, criminal case dismissals on legal technicalities have skyrocketed, letting dangerous criminals go free and leaving crime victims vulnerable,” said Senator Jack Martins.

Republicans' call comes on the heels of the ongoing state budget negotiations taking place between the Governor’s office and Senate and Assembly majorities. In the Senate and Assembly One House Budgets that were passed last week, they omitted language that would’ve modified New York State’s discovery laws as proposed in the Governor’s Executive Budget.  It was recently reported that New York City’s criminal courts have seen a huge uptick of 455 percent (an estimated 50,000 cases) in forced dismissals due to the 2019 discovery changes on the books today.