Criminal Justice
Albany Agenda
The discovery debate is almost done. What’s next for the budget?
Changes to the state’s involuntary commitment laws, a potential mask ban and a tax hike to fund the MTA are all on the table.
Criminal Justice
DAs say judge confusion is to blame for some discovery dismissals
Staten Island DA Michael McMahon said that judges are dismissing cases even after prosecutors show good faith and due diligence, in violation of case law.
Opinion
Opinion: Direct cash assistance can help drive down our state's prison population
Providing direct support to people returning from incarceration can provide them with greater economic stability and job security, helping to break the cycle of recidivism.
Budget
Breaking News
Legislative leaders reach deal with DAs on discovery
The debate over when cases should be dismissed if prosecutors fail to turn over evidence held up the state budget for weeks.
Opinion
Opinion: Discovery reform works. Don’t let prosecutors gut it.
The supposed “crisis” surrounding discovery is a uniquely downstate issue, and it is extremely reckless to alter the law for the entire state simply because certain prosecutors say they are struggling with compliance
Immigration
NYC Council speaker gets ready for potential legal action over ICE on Rikers
The council voted Thursday to empower Speaker Adrienne Adams to sue Mayor Eric Adams and the Trump administration.
Albany Agenda
With little public progress made, Cleare introduces her own discovery bill
As legislative leaders and district attorneys negotiate behind closed doors, state Sen. Cordell Cleare has introduced her own proposed compromise on discovery.
Opinion
Opinion: NYC kicked ICE out of Rikers. The City Council must keep it that way.
The Adams administration is trying to open a back door to Rikers and hand ICE the key.
News & Politics
District attorneys are fourth wheel in state budget throuple
Normally, it’s just three people in a room negotiating the budget. But the state’s district attorneys are heavily involved in the discussions over changes to the discovery law that are currently holding up the budget.
Albany Agenda
Lawmakers propose alternative to Hochul's discovery changes as budget negotiations drag on
Legislators want to codify a court decision that clarified parts of the law while prosecutors are backing the governor’s proposal.
Opinion
Opinion: Dismiss the governor’s discovery proposals
Prosecutors’ concerns about unwarranted case dismissals may be reasonable, but the governor’s proposed changes to the discovery law are not.
Opinion
Opinion: Fixing the double standard that silences survivors of sexual abuse in prison
The Fair Access to Justice Act would let survivors bring lawsuits against the state even if they cannot remember the precise time, date and location of their abuse.
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Opinion
Opinion: Supporting Hochul's proposed changes to the discovery law
A call for balanced justice
Immigration
Immigrant advocates demand local jails stop working with ICE
The Dignity Not Detention Act would ban New York jails and prisons from contracting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Policy
Survivor groups split over Hochul’s proposed changes to discovery laws
After a number of organizations representing survivors of sexual and domestic violence called on lawmakers to support the governor’s proposal, other survivor groups called on lawmakers to reject it.
Opinion
Opinion: Discovery rollbacks indulge prosecutors at the expense of New Yorkers
An argument against proposed legislation reducing the amount of information that prosecutors are required to disclose.
Rikers Island
Updated
A timeline on the closure of Rikers Island
The long-awaited decision on a federal takeover will have to wait till an unknown date.
Opinion
Opinion: We must address the mental health care needs of people leaving Rikers
The current system is deeply broken, and we are failing our city by failing to provide pathways to effective treatment post-incarceration.
Immigration
Nassau enters controversial ‘task force’ agreement with ICE
The Long Island county’s police department is working with federal immigration officials under a type of agreement that was banned during the Obama administration.
Policy
Advocates for domestic violence survivors back Hochul’s proposed discovery changes
Groups that support survivors of domestic and sexual violence are asking lawmakers to approve controversial changes to the state’s discovery laws that are favored by prosecutors and opposed by criminal justice reformers.
