CHENANGO COUNTY – State Assemblyman Clifford Crouch (R, 22nd District) spoke out against New York State’s recent criminal justice reforms on Tuesday, saying there is an immediate need for revisions to the reforms because the new laws were putting law-abiding citizens in danger.

“I think how it was rolled out is really kind of a travesty; it was done with no input from law enforcement, and the list of crimes that they’ve included is way too much,” said Crouch. “Someone is going to get killed because of it, and we’ve already had people that have been hurt after individuals were released right away.”

“I cringe every morning as we hear more cases of people getting out and hurting the community.”

According to a statement from New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office, the new criminal justice reforms are, “…groundbreaking legislation in the FY 2020 Enacted Budget,” that are “New York’s bail system will be dramatically transformed, significantly reducing the number of people held in jail prior to their trial.”

“Specifically, cash bail will be eliminated for misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, alongside a new requirement that police officers must issue desk appearance tickets to most people charged with misdemeanors and Class E felonies, rather than making a custodial arrest,” stated the office. “Together, these reforms will ensure the vast majority - approximately 90 percent - of cases where people are charged, but not yet convicted of a crime, will remain out of jail before their day in court.”