WNYC: What the New Rollbacks to Bail Reform Mean in New York

“Just six months ago, New York state eliminated cash bail for almost all offenses except violent felonies. But there was an immediate backlash after the NYPD claimed the crime rate was going up. There were also constant media reports about cases in which people were re-arrested after being released without bail, notably one involving a woman who punched Orthodox Jewish women in Brooklyn.

District attorneys and police unions lobbied hard to roll back the bail reforms. In April, legislators took action so judges can hold more people on bail. Those changes didn’t get much attention at the time when most people were focused on the deadly coronavirus pandemic. But they’re taking effect today—just as the conversation has shifted to racism in law enforcement, after weeks of protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.”

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