Rena Karefa-Johnson

Should “dangerousness" be a factor in granting bail?

The Bail Elimination Act, sponsored by state Sen. Michael Gianaris of Queens and Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell of Manhattan, wouldn’t fully eliminate bail and judges could still impose conditions to compel defendants to return to court but the bill would end cash bail, a practice in which defendants are asked to pay a deposit, refundable if they attend all their court dates, in order to be released from jail.

  • By Jeff Coltin