A recent Manhattan court case highlighted severe flaws in New York's discovery laws, which require prosecutors to provide extensive evidence to defense attorneys. A domestic violence case was dismissed over a minor oversight regarding an officer's disciplinary record, preventing the victim from securing a restraining order. Governor Hochul is pushing for changes to prevent such dismissals, but many legislators resist reform. Since the 2019 discovery reforms, forced dismissals have increased by 455%, while 26% more domestic violence arrests are going unprosecuted, signaling a crisis for crime victims.
Prosecutors failed to turn over the arresting officer's disciplinary record for a 20-second escape, leading to the dismissal of a severe domestic violence case.
Gov. Hochul's proposal aims to restore sanity by preventing case dismissals unless the defense can prove harm from the prosecutors' oversight.
The discovery reforms of 2019 have led to a 455% increase in forced dismissals, severely impacting victims of domestic violence.
With the burden of compliance rising, prosecutors are focusing solely on the worst offenders, resulting in a 26% decline in domestic violence prosecutions.
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