Senator Helming on the PROTECT Act to Secure Safer Streets

New York is the only state in the nation that does not allow courts to consider public safety when determining if a defendant should be released, or be held in jail, before their trial. Senator Helming is working with Sheriffs, DAs, and the Consortium for Safe Communities to change that law with her bill, the PROTECT Act. The PROTECT Act (S.2282A) would empower judges to hold dangerous criminals behind bars pending trial. PROTECT stands for Pretrial Risk Overview for Threat Evaluation, Custody, and Treatment.