
The depth of New York State's unprecedented fall from grace under the leadership of Cuomo, is seemingly increasing on a daily basis. Unfortunately, Cuomo appears determined to impose his own personal beliefs and political bias upon the good people of New York State, leaving many residents to believe we are approaching the prophetic "End of Days" in New York.
In recent times NYC has passed laws making it a "sanctuary city," making it illegal to engage in things like name calling or declawing cats and making late term abortion legal. This has fostered the belief that the legislative insolence of New York's political leaders is exceeded only by their hypocrisy. Notwithstanding, Cuomo's latest legislative effort reforming bail and discovery in New York is potentially the most dangerous of them all.
Commencing in January 2020 New York State will effectively become a catch and release State, where those who commit misdemeanors and non-violent felonies will no longer be able to be held pre-trial on bail. According to Cuomo this will reportedly release 90% of those arrested and charged, but not yet convicted of a crime, to roam free on the streets of New York State. As to the few remaining who will still be able to be legally held on bail, Judges will be required to take the perpetrators financial status into consideration before determining the amount of bail. In addition, the new law has also changed the discovery rules in criminal cases, imposing stricter requirements for the prosecutors and making it easier for the defendants.
Proponents of this new law claim it is necessary to remedy a longstanding discriminatory practice against minorities and the poor. In addition, the bail system was prejudicial and long overdue for reform. Opponents believe it is tantamount to a travesty and likens itself to a reality show as the latest episode of "Cuomo Gone Wild." Further, that it won't be long before Cuomo, like California's Newsom, makes New York a "sanctuary state" and our sidewalks are littered with tents, urine and feces. Lastly, it is perhaps at that point that a mass exodus from New York will truly begin and people will realize that Cuomo's tenure was riddled with a reprehensible and deplorable abuse of power, the likes of which New York State has never seen before.
Regardless of their political affiliation, it is becoming clear that our elected officials are using politics as a weapon resulting in the people being injured the most. This is a wrong the people have the power to correct on Election Day. Perhaps John Lennon said it best in his song "Nobody Told Me" when he sang, "Nobody told me there would be days like these, strange days indeed!"
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com