Assemblyman Doug Smith (5^th District) continued his effort to repeal the dangerous bail reform laws that took effect January 1 of this year. Smith attended a press conference with his Minority colleagues, law enforcement officials and the victims of this law earlier today.

“Every day that goes by without action, our communities face the likelihood of more unnecessary damage and tragedies occurring,” Smith said after the press conference. “It is time for leaders in Albany to put the safety of our state ahead of their political agenda and re-election campaigns.

“Recently, I highlighted many of the egregious cases that have taken place in our state already this year,” Smith continued. “Just miles away from where the governor gave his State of the State address last week, a man charged with manslaughter in the death of a six-week-old baby was released pending his criminal trial in the death of that child. As a former educator and father, I cannot fathom a criminal justice system that doesn’t hold adults to the highest degree of accountability with the children under their care. I will continue to call for the repeal of this law, and I hope my colleagues in the state Legislature will vote for such a bill soon.”