Sen. Gillibrand seeks to eliminate current cash bail system

<p>Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for legislation that would eliminate the current cash bail system ahead of the expected Congress vote on criminal justice reform.</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 16, 2018, 10:21 PM

Updated 1,962 days ago

Share:

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for legislation that would eliminate the current cash bail system ahead of the expected Congress vote on criminal justice reform.
The bail system is not a part of the First Step Act which, if passed in Monday's Congressional vote, will retroactively reduce the disparity between crack and cocaine sentences, ease mandatory minimums and increase the credits well-behaved inmates can put toward early release.
That's why Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is proposing a bill called the "No Cash Bail Act."
In a statement, Gillibrand said, "There are thousands of New Yorkers sitting in jail right now simply because they cannot pay their bail. We should not be locking people up just because they don't have the financial means to afford their bail."
Civil rIghts Attorney Fred Brewington says cash bail disproportionately affects the poor and people of color.
"We have implicit bias that does exist--a judge may look at a person and evaluate them based on what they look like and not necessarily on factors that are related to whether or not they'll be returning to court."
Gotterher says “here at home things must change to have a fairer system.”
According to the ACLU, the for-profit bail industry makes between $1.4 to $2 billion each year.


More from News 12
2:19
Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

2:23
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse, community advocates file over 150 lawsuits accusing staff at juvenile facilities

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse, community advocates file over 150 lawsuits accusing staff at juvenile facilities

2:20
Lingering showers end early Wednesday before sunnier skies arrive

Lingering showers end early Wednesday before sunnier skies arrive

1:37
Police: 79-year-old woman found dead in her Grand Concourse apartment

Police: 79-year-old woman found dead in her Grand Concourse apartment

1:33
NYPD: Man wanted for robbing Mott Haven deli at gunpoint

NYPD: Man wanted for robbing Mott Haven deli at gunpoint

1:57
Pelham Parkway dialysis center closing soon, leaving patients angered

Pelham Parkway dialysis center closing soon, leaving patients angered

1:45
Transportation Alternatives: 2024 was the deadliest start to a year since start of Vision Zero

Transportation Alternatives: 2024 was the deadliest start to a year since start of Vision Zero

1:36
Residents say they feel unsafe after bricks fell from their building

Residents say they feel unsafe after bricks fell from their building

1:28
Multiplex Cinema in Concourse Village set to close; BP Gibson says mall owners mull another theater

Multiplex Cinema in Concourse Village set to close; BP Gibson says mall owners mull another theater

1:13
Police: Wanted suspect linked to overnight shooting of teen in Claremont Park

Police: Wanted suspect linked to overnight shooting of teen in Claremont Park

0:21
Police: Newborn found dead in Melrose section of the Bronx

Police: Newborn found dead in Melrose section of the Bronx

1:51
Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

1:31
Bronx mother accused of killing 6-year-old daughter appears in court

Bronx mother accused of killing 6-year-old daughter appears in court

0:28
New NYC Public Schools course will teach students about the impacts of hate crimes

New NYC Public Schools course will teach students about the impacts of hate crimes

1:36
EmblemHealth to open new medical facility in Fordham section of the Bronx

EmblemHealth to open new medical facility in Fordham section of the Bronx

0:21
Police: 32-year-old man fatally shot in the head in Throgs Neck

Police: 32-year-old man fatally shot in the head in Throgs Neck

1:58
DCWP accuses R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes of exploiting grieving families in lawsuit

DCWP accuses R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes of exploiting grieving families in lawsuit

1:30
Exclusive video: 4 suspects wanted for gunpoint robbery in Morrisania

Exclusive video: 4 suspects wanted for gunpoint robbery in Morrisania

1:56
New electric school buses to replace full NYC diesel fleet in by 2035

New electric school buses to replace full NYC diesel fleet in by 2035

1:38
Residents out and about on day of sunshine

Residents out and about on day of sunshine