New York’s Bail Reforms Making Little Impact, Lawyers Say

http://citylimits.org/2016/03/21/new-yorks-bail-reforms-making-little-impact-lawyers-say/


Last December, New York City courts moved forward with a new initiative aimed at reducing the number of people who are held on Riker's Island after being charged with minor offenses.


The three-month old program grants defendants accused of some misdemeanors new bail hearings, in front of a different judge, within 10 days of the initial court appearance. The program is one component of former Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman's longstanding effort to reduce the number of people held on Riker's Island solely because they couldn't afford to post even small amounts of bail.


News about the bail-review program initially seemed to spark optimism among some advocates, who have long fought to reform the bail system.


But initial reports from criminal defense attorneys indicate that the measure has yet to make a meaningful difference.