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| Sen. Griffo Joins Sheriff Carpinelli and Other Law Enforcement Officials to Advocate for 'Victims' Justice Agenda' May 02, 2019 09:00 a.m. |
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Griffo joins legal and law enforcement professionals to advocate for ‘Victims’ Justice Agenda’
Rome, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara, Oneida County Undersheriff Joseph Lisi, Lewis County Sheriff Michael Carpinelli and area law enforcement and legal professionals advocated today for the “Victims’ Justice Agenda” that was unveiled by Deputy Minority Leader Griffo and Senate Republicans earlier this week. This comprehensive package of legislation aims to reform the parole system to keep violent criminals behind bars without parole, while also easing the parole process for suffering victims, families and the public. It also will help tip the scales of justice back toward law-abiding citizens and the victims of crimes not the perpetrators. Legislation making up this agenda includes:
This package of legislation is in response to several pro-criminal reforms that were included in the state budget that was passed in April. These so-called reforms, nicknamed the Criminal’s Bill of Rights, included changes that will let up to 90 percent of individuals arrested for a crime walk free and instead receive an appearance ticket from the officer and an end to cash bail for everything shy of the most severe violent felonies. Other reforms that were in the state budget included a reduction of sentences for illegal immigrants who commit crimes for the sole purpose of evading deportation and a measure limiting the public release of mugshots, a clear threat to public safety and a blow to openness, transparency and the public's right to know. The negative impact of these pro-criminal reforms have already been felt. Not even a month after these initiatives went into effect, a Colonie, N.Y., man with a lengthy criminal history that included 25 arrests and 20 convictions, with three felonies, beat his mother days after he was released without bail for violating a previous court order to stay away from her, according to the Times-Union. A Colonie Police lieutenant told the newspaper “The criminal justice system has failed (the man’s) mother.” However, Downstate Democrats intend to move even further and are pushing legislation to grant parole hearings for inmates who have served 15 years once they reach their 55th birthday, regardless of what crime the individual committed. Other elected officials are advocating for voting rights for felons. Currently, an individual with a felony conviction is entitled to register and vote once they have been discharged from parole. In the meantime, Deputy Minority Leader Griffo has proposed legislation that also would provide real criminal justice reform. This includes:
Deputy Minority Leader Griffo said, “Instead of coddling criminals and constraining cops, as the supposed criminal justice reforms in this year’s state budget would do, we should be fighting for the rights of crime victims, their families and law-abiding public. I am proud to support the package of legislation introduced earlier this week and will continue to fight for the rights of crime victims, their families and our law enforcement professionals who put their lives on the line to keep our families and communities safe and free from harm. Lewis County Sheriff Carpinelli said, “Sadly, it seems that every day criminals in New York State get more attention than the victims of crimes. This isn’t right and needs to change. I support the efforts of Sen. Griffo and his conference to ensure that the victims of crime and their families get the attention, support and resources that they deserve.” Oneida County Executive Picente said, “I applaud Sen. Griffo for taking the wheel to right the ship on criminal justice reform. These measures will tip the scales back toward law-abiding citizens and the victims of crimes and away from those who commit them. I hope the state Legislature will do the right thing and pass this much more sensible agenda.” Oneida County District Attorney McNamara said, “I am very pleased to see Sen. Griffo leading the charge for a return to sensibility in New York State criminal justice reform. Over the past few months, the ultra-liberal wing of the Legislature, with the help of the Governor, have granted unprecedented rights to criminal defendants and convicted felonies. In addition, they are currently debating early parole eligibility for convicted murderers and child molesters who are over 55 years of age and have served 15 years of their sentence. Throughout all of this, no thought or concern has been shown to the law-abiding citizens who were victimized by the criminals and will be further traumatized by these additional parole hearings and early releases of predators. I thank the Senator and his levelheaded colleagues for remembering why we have a criminal justice system and the importance of giving victims and witnesses rights and protections in our great state.” New York State Sheriff’s Association President and Oneida County Sheriff Maciol said, “I commend Sen. Griffo and his Republican colleagues for doing all they can to keep our communities and our people safe and for protecting the crime victims instead of those who committed the crimes.” ### |
**PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT**
New York State Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joseph Griffo,
R-I-C-Rome, speaks during a news conference today highlighting
legislation making up the "Victims' Justice Agenda"
R-I-C-Rome, speaks during a news conference today highlighting
legislation making up the "Victims' Justice Agenda"
