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Criminal Justice Reform

'Jury Of Our Peers Act' Allowing Convicted Felons To Serve On Juries Passes NY Legislature 'Jury Of Our Peers Act' Allowing Convicted Felons To Serve On Juries Passes NY Legislature
'Jury Of Our Peers Act' Allowing Convicted Felons To Serve On Juries Passes NY Legislature New Yorkers with felony convictions could soon serve on court juries after state lawmakers passed legislation reversing the lifetime ban on such service. The New York State Assembly on Friday, June 7, passed the “Jury of Our Peers Act,” which would allow those convicted of felonies to serve on New York juries once they are released from prison or have otherwise satisfied all of their sentencing requirements. Advocates say the move will help rectify an underrepresentation of minorities on juries. “Black New Yorkers have been systematically denied the right to serve on juries as they are dis…
Hudson Valley Sex Offender Charged With Violent Assault, Cops Say Hudson Valley Sex Offender Charged With Violent Assault, Cops Say
Hudson Valley Sex Offender Charged With Violent Assault, Cops Say Police in the Hudson Valley have charged a sex offender with a violent assault and robbery of a man after it was caught on a public camera system. The incident took place in Orange County around 11:10 a.m., Sunday, March 12 in the area of 8-10 Main Street in Middletown. According to Lt. Jeffry Thoelen of the Middletown Police, officers responded to the area after receiving a call reporting a fight. Using the public camera system located at the front desk of the police department, Sgt. Jordan McInerney saw a Black man lying on top of another man on the sidewalk, violently assaulti…
New Poll Reveals Who NYers Favor In Governor's Race Based On Inflation, Crime, Abortion New Poll Reveals Who NYers Favor In Governor's Race Based On Inflation, Crime, Abortion
New Poll Reveals Who NYers Favor In Governor's Race Based On Inflation, Crime, Abortion As Election Day draws nearer, new polling is highlighting the issues that are top of mind for New York voters when choosing their next governor. Overall, incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul leads her Republican opponent, Rep. Lee Zeldin, by six points, 47 to 41 percent, according to a SurveyUSA poll released Thursday, Oct. 20. Earlier Report: Zeldin Holds Edge Over Hochul In NY's Suburbs, Among Independents In Brand-New Poll Four percent of likely voters said they plan to vote for another candidate, while 8 percent were undecided. Hochul’s lead has shrunk dramatically from August …
Harckham, Astorino Trade Barbs Over Parole For Killer Of Northern Westchester Moms Harckham, Astorino Trade Barbs Over Parole For Killer Of Northern Westchester Moms
Harckham, Astorino Trade Barbs Over Parole For Killer Of Northern Westchester Moms State Sen. Peter Harckham and Republican challenger Rob Astorino traded barbs over the New York State Parole Board's recent decision to release Sam Ayala, convicted for murdering two Northern Westchester mothers in their homes in 1977 within earshot of their children.  Earlier story - Parole Of Man In Rape/Murder Case Of Two Northern Westchester Women Sparks Outrage Harckham and Astorino are battling it out in the race for the 40th district, which includes parts of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess. "The New York State Parole Board should resign in disgrace after voting to re…
Move To Scale Back New York's Hotly Contested Cash Bail System Added To State Budget Move To Scale Back New York's Hotly Contested Cash Bail System Added To State Budget
Move To Scale Back New York's Hotly Contested Cash Bail System Added To State Budget New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers are scaling back the state’s cash bail system that has angered law enforcement officials since the measures took effect at the start of the year. An agreement was struck that added a number of new misdemeanor and felony crimes to the long list of those subject to a cash bail order. The lawmakers are expected to approve the measure on Thursday, April 2 as part of the state budget. The previous bail reforms went into effect in January, which no longer permitted judges to demand cash bail for non-violent misdemeanor crimes, no exceptions. Bail cou…
NY Lessens Penalties For Marijuana Possession NY Lessens Penalties For Marijuana Possession
NY Lessens Penalties For Marijuana Possession New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed into law a new bill that will further decriminalize marijuana use in the Empire State. The new legislation will “make enforcement fairer and more equitable by reducing the penalty for unlawful possession of marijuana to a violation punishable by a fine and removing criminal penalties for possession fo any amount of marijuana under two ounces. "Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by-laws governing marijuana for far too long, and today we are ending this injustice once and for all," Cuomo said in a statement.  "By providi…
Dutchess County Justice & Transition Center Size, Cost To Be Reduced, Molinaro Says Dutchess County Justice & Transition Center Size, Cost To Be Reduced, Molinaro Says
Dutchess County Justice & Transition Center Size, Cost To Be Reduced, Molinaro Says The size and cost of the plans for the Dutchess County Justice & Transition Center have been reduced due to budgetary and legislative changes, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announced Wednesday, May 22. Officials say the County received agreement from the New York State Commission of Correction (COC) to push back the final design plan approval for the center, citing New York State bail reforms and Dutchess County’s successful diversion programs. The COC agreed to extend the final design approval until the end of the year and consider a redesign intended to “significantly reduce…
Photos: Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Demolition Photos: Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Demolition
Photos: Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Demolition The 100-year-old Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office is in the progress of being demolished following the department’s move to a multi-million dollar facility. The building at 150 N. Hamilton Street in Poughkeepsie is being demolished, as members of the Sheriff’s Office move to their new headquarters on Parker Avenue. The Sheriff’s Office headquarters have been relocated to the 56,000-square-foot, $34.2 million Law Enforcement Center on Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie as of February. To keep some of the spirit of the old historic building alive, the former front doors have been placed …
State AG Candidates Vow To Take On Corruption In Albany At Forum In Westchester State AG Candidates Vow To Take On Corruption In Albany At Forum In Westchester
State AG Candidates Vow To Take On Corruption In Albany At Forum In Westchester Candidates for Attorney General and state Senate visited the Mediterranean Political Action Committee in Yonkers on Thursday to discuss statewide issues. The election is Nov. 6. Democrat Letitia "Tish" James and Green Party Candidate Michael Sussman spoke at the forum, discussing the criminalizaing of mental illness, criminal justice reform, corruption in Albany, gender and race.Republican Keith Wofford did not attend.  "Mental illness should not be a crime, and poverty should not be a crime," James said.  Sussman pointed out that 40 elected officials have been prosecu…
Gov. Cuomo Touts Progressive Agenda At State Of State Address Gov. Cuomo Touts Progressive Agenda At State Of State Address
Gov. Cuomo Touts Progressive Agenda At State Of State Address New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York was once again the nation's vanguard for social justice at his annual State of the State address Tuesday. The governor's address included proposed criminal justice reform and initiatives to combat the new federal tax reform bill that Cuomo called a federal assault on the state. "The state has made unprecedented progress," Cuomo, who is running for a third term this year, said. "The economy is stronger than ever. Crime is down statewide. We have more high school graduates. We have conserved more land than ever before. We have made histo…