ALBANY, N.Y. – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris heralded major bail reform as part of the New York State budget. Senator Gianaris is the author of New York’s Bail Elimination Act and a longtime advocate for criminal justice reform.

“These reforms will deliver justice to thousands of people incarcerated without a conviction,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “I am proud to have helped usher in the most historic and dramatic reforms our troubled criminal justice system has seen.”

Bail reform is part of the state budget and will end money bail for most misdemeanors and low-level felony charges. More than 16,000 people are currently held in New York State jails pre-trial.

The state budget also enacted significant reforms of the discovery and speedy trial processes.