March 3, 2025
DIVERSE, CITYWIDE COALITION LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT NECESSARY AND REASONABLE CHANGES TO DISCOVERY LAWS
“New Yorkers for Fair and Just Discovery Laws” Calls on Legislature to Pass Gov. Hochul’s Proposed Amendments to Keep Us Safe, Prevent Recidivism While Maintaining Rights of Accused
New York, NY – Today, a broad group of community-based organizations, faith leaders, survivor advocates, labor and business leaders launched a new coalition to advocate for common sense changes to New York’s discovery statute. The coalition, “New Yorkers for Fair and Just Discovery Laws,” comprises nearly 30 organizations and is chaired by Hon. Judy Kluger, the Chief Executive Officer for Sanctuary for Families. The diverse group, which includes multiple organizations dedicated to supporting crime survivors, is united in support of Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed amendments to the discovery statute to protect victims and communities while safeguarding the rights of the accused and maintaining New York’s status as the state with the most open and transparent discovery laws in the U.S.
“Governor Hochul’s proposed changes to discovery laws represent a necessary course correction,” said Hon. Judy Harris Kluger, Chief Executive Officer of Sanctuary for Families and Chair of the coalition. “Her proposal continues to advance transparency while ensuring cases are not dismissed over minor technicalities that have no impact on fairness. Survivors deserve a legal system that delivers justice. The Legislature must act now.”
“The New York business community strongly supports Governor Hochul’s proposed amendment of discovery laws to reverse the sharp rise in case dismissals and repeat offenses that have been the result of a poorly worded statute. These changes are not intended to reverse the important criminal justice reforms of the past five years, but rather to clarify the legislative intent, which was certainly not to encourage more criminal activity,” stated Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO, Partnership for New York City.
“The retail industry strongly supports efforts to effectively address recidivism in New York, specifically as it relates to individuals who repeatedly steal from local businesses without consequence,” said Retail Council of New York State President and CEO Melissa O’Connor. “We are in constant communication with district attorneys, who have said for years that the state’s existing discovery statute is standing in the way of our collective efforts on store and community safety. The discovery changes proposed by Governor Hochul are necessary from a public safety standpoint, and will build upon the newly enacted laws and funding to fight habitual retail theft and organized retail crime in New York State.”
Necessary, Reasonable Changes to Discovery Reform
The volume of material that prosecutors are required to locate and turn over at the earliest stage of a case – under penalty of dismissal – since discovery reforms were passed in 2019 has undermined public safety. Thousands of cases are now dismissed annually, for reasons that have nothing to do with fairness or justice. In 2023, New York City’s case dismissal rate – including misdemeanors and felonies was 62%, compared to 42% in 2019. That’s a 48% increase in the case dismissal rate and 20,538 more cases dismissed citywide in 2023 compared to 2019.
The Coalition knows first-hand how these dismissals negatively impact crime victims. For example, when domestic violence cases are dismissed due to minor discovery issues, not only does the abuser escape accountability, but the survivor loses the Order of Protection, leaving them vulnerable to further abuse.
The Coalition calls on the Legislature to adopt Governor Hochul’s amendments this legislative session to make common sense changes to the discovery statute that protect victims and communities while safeguarding the rights of the accused. Under Governor Hochul’s proposal, New York will remain the state with the most open and transparent discovery laws in the nation. The proposal has been previously supported by prominent statewide leaders such as New York Attorney General Leticia James and the Reverend Al Sharpton.
Members of New Yorkers for Fair and Just Discovery Laws
Sanctuary for Families
My Sisters Place
Met Council
Joyful Heart
Women’s Equal Justice
Women’s Justice Now
We All Really Matter (WARM)
Crime Victims Treatment Center
DC37
African American Clergy and Elected Officials
Uniting Clergy Community and Police
The Episcopal Diocese of New York
Shalom Task Force
ABNY
Tech:NYC
Citizens Crime Commission
Partnership for NYC
Times Square Alliance
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Queens Chamber of Commerce
Bronx Chamber of Commerce
Westchester Business Council
Bodega and Small Business Group
3rd Avenue BID
Belmont BID
Southern Boulevard BID
161st Street BID
Jerome-Gun Hill BID
Morris Park BID
FAB Fulton
Retail Council of New York
New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers (NYSFTD)
United Bodegas of America (UBA)
Midtown BID Coalition
Garment District Alliance
Downtown Alliance
Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
Fifth Avenue Association
East Midtown Partnership
White Plains Road BID
Flatiron NoMad Partnership
NYC Special Riggers Association
