POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro is calling on Governor Hochul to “repeal and revise” the cashless bail system in the state.
That was enacted by the legislature in 2019 as part of a package of criminal justice reforms, but he said it is not working as it is putting individuals back on the street, and in many cases, they are being re-arrested. That needs to be readdressed, Molinaro said.
“(New York City) Mayor Adams says it should happen, districts attorney across the state have called for it, and even those who understand in the world of domestic violence and homelessness, understand that there is a need to make connections with people who are dealing with mental health and substance abuse, they agree you have to revisit in order to make this work,” he said.
The Nassau County Police Department is developing new policies so they can identify and publicize the names of defendants not given bail on a previous charge who are rearrested so the public can see the impact of the 2019 reform law.
Molinaro is asking his county’s Criminal Justice Council “to explore a similar report” compiled with data from all of the county’s law enforcement agencies.
