Governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to reform New York's discovery laws is gaining bipartisan support but encountering resistance from key legislative leaders like Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Heastie acknowledges the need for reform but expresses concern over giving excessive power to prosecutors. The budget deadline adds urgency, with both leaders not including Hochul's proposal in their budget drafts. Hochul aims to amend aspects of the 2019 criminal justice reforms, which would adjust evidence disclosure requirements and enhance judges' authority in case sanctioning.
Hochul's proposal aims to reform New York's evidence laws to prevent dismissals of criminal cases over 'technicalities', yet faces skepticism from key legislative leaders.
Assembly Speaker Heastie expressed that while there's agreement on the need for changes in discovery laws, there's concern that proposed adjustments may overly empower prosecutors.
Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins indicated that changes to discovery laws should occur outside of budget discussions, complicating Hochul's plans as negotiations continue.
Hochul supports rolling back some 2019 criminal-justice reforms to narrow evidence disclosure requirements and allows judges more flexibility in sanctioning non-compliant prosecutors.
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