NYC DAs make case for discovery reform in Albany as lefties dig in for the long haul

Two city district attorneys took their case for discovery law reform to Albany Monday — calling it a common sense way to protect victims — as left-wing lawmakers dug in their heels in opposition.The push from Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and Bronx DA Darcel Clark came as Gov.

Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature continue to butt heads over her proposal to loosen the mandates governing what criminal evidence needs to be turned over at trial.“The proposal is about justice and compliance,” Clark told reporters of the tweaks offered up by Hochul.“It’s not about competitive advantage.We are trying to level the playing field for victims,” she said.The issue is one of the key remaining sticking points holding up the state budget, which was due on April 1.Hochul’s crusade to change the discovery laws has the backing of all five city DAs, who argue the requirements have caused a spike in criminal cases getting dismissed over technicalities, allowing domestic abusers and other offenders to walk free.Bragg and Clark — who also privately met with State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins (D-Westchester) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) — spoke to reporters shortly before the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian legislative caucus rallied in opposition to the changes.“We reject these rollbacks.

Finalize a budget that defends what’s right,” Assembly member Yudelka Tapia (D-Bronx) said.Over a dozen lawmakers from the 80-member caucus called on their colleagues to refuse to tweak the discovery law, signed by Hochul’s predecessor, ex-Gov.Andrew Cuomo, in 2019.

The legislation was dubbed Kalief’s Law, after Kalief Browder, who killed himself after awaiting trial on Rikers Island for three years.“Keep Kalief’s law strong.Keep New York moving forward.

Guys, this is our fight to fight and we can win it,” Tapia said.Several of the left-leaning lawmakers said they were willing to try to delay the budget talks even further over ...