North Country lawmakers join press conference to push for New York Bail Reform changes

ONEIDA COUNTY- Two North Country Lawmakers joined several others Thursday rebuking New York’s Bail Reform and calling for changes they feel need to be made amidst high crime rates.

"Criminals in the state of New York fear no recourse, as our revolving door criminal justice system, especially on the issue of bail, puts them right back on the streets to reoffend,” said Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R, C, I-Black River).

"Since they were first proposed, I have actively worked with law enforcement, district attorneys and others to raise the alarm regarding the impact that changes to the state's criminal justice system, including modifications to bail and discovery laws, would have across New York," said Senator Joe Griffo (R-C-I-ROME).

The 2019 State Budget included changes to the state's bail law that ended cash bail for everything shy of the most severe violent felonies.

Although heavily supported mainly by Democrats, Republicans and several law enforcement figures say bail reform allows dangerous criminals and repeat offenders to be released back into communities across the state.

"Nearly every single Sheriff in New York State, including myself, opposed bail reform since day one and we continue to do so today," said Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol.

"I to say it loud and clear that our communities are less safe because of it and one of the only ways that we are going to restore safety to our communities and to our people is to revisit this failed bail reform and to hold offenders accountable for their actions."

Solutions offered time and time again have included adjustments to discovery laws, adding back more crimes that would require bail and to give judges more discretion for when it comes to risk factors for criminals and threatening public safety.

Image courtesy via Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol.