Sheriffs, lawmakers push for 'PROTECT Act' to change New York's bail laws
New York state senator Pam Helming and local sheriffs are advocating for the 'PROTECT Act', a bill that aims to change the state's bail laws by giving judges more discretion to consider a defendant's danger to the public when making pretrial release decisions. The bill is currently under consideration in the NYS Senate Codes Committee.
New York State Senator Pam Helming and local sheriffs are pushing for the passage of the 'PROTECT Act', a bill aimed at reforming the state's bail laws. The legislation would allow judges to consider whether a defendant poses a danger to the public when making pretrial release decisions. Currently, the bill is under consideration in the NYS Senate Codes Committee, with a companion bill introduced in the state Assembly. Supporters argue that the existing bail laws create a 'revolving door' for repeat offenders. The PROTECT Act includes safeguards such as requiring custody decisions within 48 hours and using a standardized risk assessment tool to reduce bias. Law enforcement officials and community leaders are backing the bill, citing the need to balance public safety with fairness in the justice system.
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