NY to Eliminate Bail, VA to Expand Parole

Articles in the New York Times and the New York Daily News provide more evidence that criminal justice reform has become a top issue, especially in Democrat controlled communities.  The shift in majorities in the Virginia Legislature has sparked bills to allow the early release of murderers over 50-years-old and expand parole opportunities for criminals convicted of violent crimes.  The state had eliminated parole for most offenders in the 1990s to keep serious offenders off the streets but as Democrat Senator David Marsden notes, “People are now more likely to believe that people deserve a second chance.”

Law enforcement and victims groups warn that the release of more criminals will result in more crime.

Meanwhile, a New York law to eliminate bail for so called “low level” offenders which took effect in January, is now being reconsidered after several released criminals have committed new crimes, some of them violent.  The Majority Leader of the New York Senate announced yesterday that “we are getting rid of cash bail completely…simply put, the reforms will ensure that no one will be incarcerated simply because of their inability to pay…”  Part of the suggested reforms would increase the discretion of judges to deny bail to those charged with murder, hate crimes and certain domestic violence crimes.  Community activists complain that giving judges more discretion would open the door to bias, allowing them to “lock up more black people in jail.”

A release by the New York Police Department earlier this month reported that crime in the Big Appeal increased by 17% in January, including a 28% increase in shootings.  Law enforcement groups believe that NY Mayor Bill de Blasio’s soft-on-crime policies and weak support for police are contributing to the increased crime.