Superficial – that’s what one state assemblyman in the Finger Lakes is saying about bail reform changes made as part of the state’s budget.
Assemblyman John Lemondes spoke about the subject with Ted Baker on FLX Morning, saying “the biggest thing we needed was the ability for judges to review dangerousness of the defendant and that’s not in there. That was the single greatest thing that judges needed to be able to do, and most of the other changers were superficial.
Governor Kathy Hochul has touted the changes to bail reform as giving judges more discretion in setting bail and detaining dangerous defendants. She said in a press release ” [the budget] now gives [judges] discretion if they need to hold violent criminals accountable. It upholds our fundamental belief in a criminal justice system that is fair and accessible to all.”
Lemondes’ full interview can be found below:
