Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C,I-Norwich) calls for changes to bail reform in the 2022-23 State Budget at a press conference on March 28, 2022. Speaking is Kevin Mulverhill, Franklin County Sheriff and First Vice President of the New York State Sheriff’s Association. (Submitted photo)

ALBANY – Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C,I-Norwich) joined other Republican legislators, law enforcement and prosecutors to call on the governor to make appropriate and needed changes to the bail reform law as part of the 2022-23 State Budget.

From 2019 to 2020, the murder rate has nearly doubled, while gun crime increased by 30 percent outside of New York City. 

Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C,I-Lafayette) also joined his colleagues from the Minority Conference in calling for the “disastrous policy that is 'bail reform’ to itself be reformed.”

Angelino, being a retired police chief, knows how the changes made in the bail law have hampered the criminal justice system’s efforts in keeping the public safe.

Bail reforms coupled now with Gov. Hochul discharging 8,000 parolees, the assemblyman feels the governor and the legislature care about rewarding criminals rather than supporting victims.

“Since Gov. Cuomo signed bail reforms into law, New Yorkers have seen crime increase alarmingly in almost every part of the state. Gov. Hochul should make every effort to reverse the mess left by her predecessor, and shift the priority to serving victims and justice rather than enabling those who break our laws,” said Angelino.

“Walking back bail reform should be a priority and we cannot delay a day more. I urge the governor and my colleagues to take action before the budget deadline,” he said.

Angelino not only wishes to give judges more discretion on bail as they did before. Judges should be able to require bail for violent defendants and those who repeatedly break the law.

Additionally, the lawmakers would like to reverse the damaging changes made to the discovery process which put victims, witnesses, and first responders at risk.

“New Yorkers know how bad this law has been. How long is it going to take for the Democrat legislators to wake up and see the problems?” Lemondes said. “A majority of New Yorkers want the law repealed. Statistics show us that since bail reform launched, crime has skyrocketed. We can’t continue to sit on this dangerous policy knowing that the people we represent want to see change, to see security returned to New York.”

“State Democrats that continue to defend this law through meager ‘reforms’ compromise the safety of every New Yorker. The time has long passed for Democrats to walk back their mistake. They need to join us now to fully bring an end to bail reform, and re-establish a ruleset that reforms the system and protects the vulnerable at the same time. We’re ready to meet whenever they’d like,” Lemondes said.

Here are additional proposals being supported:

– Bail for Gun Crimes (A.7066): Removes all gun crimes from the no-bail list of offenses Democrats established in 2019.

– Shooting Into Crowds (A.4259): Makes it a Class B violent felony to fire into a crowded space with the intent to harm.

– Additional 5 Years for Possession (A.4762): Provides for an additional 5-year term of imprisonment for committing a felony while possessing a loaded firearm.

– Paula’s Law (A.6017): Prevents the parole of anyone who sexually assaults and murders a child under 18 years of age.

– Information provided by the offices of NY Assemblyman Angelino and Lemondes