Bay Ridge State Sen. Marty Golden, yesterday, pushed back against Mayor Bill de Blasio‘s “Bail Lab” initiative, calling it an untested experiment that could lead to increases in crime.
Under Bail Lab, the city in conjunction with advisory groups, will begin experiments to find ways other than bail payments to encourage defendants to return to court to stand trial.
Additionally, de Blasio said he supports City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito‘s proposal that would see taxpayers contribute to a city-wide bail fund, totaling $1.4 million, to be used to pay for the release of defendants who cannot post bail.
Golden, a retired New York City police officer, said if the proposal is adopted, thousands of defendants would be set free and placed under “supervised release” instead of staying in prison pending trial.
“The efforts underway by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council to revamp the bail system greatly concerns me,” said Golden. “Undoubtedly, I join with many fellow New Yorkers in opposing the utilization of tax payer money to post bail so to release prisoners from custody. Law abiding citizens should not be taxed in order
to set free dangerous individuals back to the streets.”
Golden added that judges should be allowed to use their judgment and discretion when setting bail. There should not be any restrictions put in place that will hinder a
judge’s authority which will ultimately set individuals free and endanger
the public, he said.
“When used correctly, the bail system is an effective way to ensure those arrested return to face trial and a tool for judges to keep dangerous individuals from returning to the streets or fleeing prosecution. Any attempts to weaken or end the practice of bail will impede the judicial process in New York City,” said the lawmaker.
Golden said similar “No-Bail” pilot programs have been implemented in Queens and
Manhattan with little to no success.
