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BROOKLYN WEEKLY, JANUARY 5, 2020
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Councilman launches petition against cashless bail
BY JESSICA PARKS
Sheepshead Bay Councilman
Chaim Deutsch launched a petition
calling on the state to continue imprisoning
hundreds of inmates accused
of criminal offenses, who are
poised to be released when a new
cashless bail system kicks in on Jan.
1.
“Looking forward to the new
year? Not me,” Deutsch tweeted on
Dec. 17. “Beginning January 1st,
state bail reform laws will take affect
(sic). People arrested for things
like selling drugs to children, assault,
& arson will be set free with no
restrictions.”
Inmates who could not afford
their set bail for misdemeanor and
non-violent felony offenses will be released
under the new legislation that
passed as a budget measure on April
1, and has drawn criticism from law
enforcement and conservative lawmakers,
including Deutsch.
“Bail reform, which will revamp
the criminal justice system and release
thousands of suspected offenders
onto the streets, is of grave
concern to us,” Deutsch said in his
petition to Governor Andrew Cuomo
released on Dec. 24. “Rising hate
crimes, prolifi c drug usage, and frequent
news of violent attacks, such
as the murder of young Tessa Majors
just this month, leave us wondering
why you have chosen to implement
vast changes in the way our state approaches
suspects in criminal activity.”
Under the new law, offi cers are required
to issue desk appearance tickets
to suspects of non-violent crimes
which include child endangerment,
promoting sexual performances
from a child and failing to appear in
court following bail.
The Sheepshead Bay councilman’s
petition — which quickly garnered
more than 1,000 signatures
— also calls for an end to the new
discovery laws passed at the same
time as the cashless bail program
that require prosecutors turn over
all evidence related to the case 15
days after arraignment, as opposed
to waiting until the day the trial begins.
“New discovery laws will also
have dire implications, including
making it more diffi cult for police
and district attorneys to protect witnesses
and victims,” Deutsch wrote.
Deutsch is one of the two Brooklyn
City Council representatives —
Councilman Kalman Yeger being
the other — who voted against the
approved closure of Rikers Island
which is planned for 2026.
Councilman Chaim Deutsch, pictured here with chainsaw, launched
a petition demanding state continue incarceration of unconvicted
inmates. Photo by Steve Solomonson
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