A naïve and dangerous experiment that undercuts our criminal justice system
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis joined with former Assistant District Attorney Michael Tannousis at a Tuesday morning news conference in front of the NYPD’s 68th Precinct in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to highlight the recent uptick in crime and speak-out against the new Criminal Justice and Bail Reform laws that are set to take effect on New Year’s Day. During the news conference Malliotakis slammed bail reform as “a naïve and dangerous experiment that undercuts our criminal justice system and favors the criminal class over New York’s law-abiding citizens.”
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis said, “This past weekend, while most New Yorkers slept, vandals slashed tires and keyed over 30 cars parked along a stretch of Shore Road in Bay Ridge. This is just the latest in a rash of at least 35 similar incidents that have occurred on the streets of Bay Ridge over the past month and along with other crimes is a local example of a trend we are seeing in neighborhoods across our city.
“Earlier this year the Democrats in the state legislature passed and Governor Cuomo signed into law a wide range of so-called criminal justice reforms that take effect New Year’s Day and will drastically change how law enforcement deals with criminals in our city and state.
“Perhaps most concerning is bail reform; a naïve and dangerous experiment that undercuts our criminal justice system and favors the criminal class over New York’s law-abiding citizens. After bail reform takes effect, 90% of those arrested will be returned to the streets hours later, without any bail required and nothing more than a date to appear in court. This includes individuals with extensive criminal records and those charged with criminally negligent homicide, stalking, strangulation, assault, drug dealing and many more equally heinous acts. Any person with an ounce of common sense will tell you that this is a recipe for lawlessness and violence on the streets of our city which we simply can’t allow.”
Michael Tannousis said, “As a former prosecutor, I know our District Attorneys will see their best efforts hampered by these new laws. We’ll witness defendants being released without bail being set, only to then be returned to court in handcuffs because of a new crimes and new victims. Now, the Assembly has gone a step further and taken away a Judge’s discretion to set bail even when a defendant has a violent history. These actions will put the lives of New Yorkers in danger and they must be stopped.”
In the last couple of months alone, within the confines of the 68th Precinct, there have been multiple disturbing criminal incidents including a home invasion, attempted rape, sexual assault subway groping, burglary, and assault.”