How the Manhattan DA Election May Rock the City’s Criminal Justice Status-Quo
Thirteen policy questions reveal the rifts in tomorrow’s Democratic primary, and the space for criminal justice reforms.
The Political Report Jun 21, 2021
On NYPD Oversight, Manhattan’s D.A. Candidates Are Split
Candidates running in Tuesday’s election vow to sideline untrustworthy officers and purge past convictions. The outgoing DA has drawn fire for his handling of police misconduct.
Sam Mellins Jun 17, 2021
How Alvin Bragg Rejects Bill Bratton and Broken Windows Policing
The Manhattan DA candidate makes his case that more incarceration does not bolster public safety, one week from the Democratic primary.
Daniel Nichanian Jun 16, 2021
Syracuse School Board Elections Heat Up Over Police Debate
Student activists pushing for police-free schools in Syracuse, New York, are backing Twiggy Billue, a candidate in the June 22 primary who wants to follow school districts across the country that have cut ties with cops.
Rachel M. Cohen Jun 11, 2021
Cuomo’s Nominee to New York’s Highest Court Alarms Criminal Justice Reformers
Progressives are warning that the governor’s appointment of the Nassau County district attorney would intensify the court’s pro-prosecution bent.
Kyle C. Barry Jun 07, 2021
This Public Defender Has Fought the Manhattan D.A.’s Office. Now She Wants To Lead It.
Eliza Orlins, who is running in the June 22 primary, lays out how she would overhaul the “prosecutorial-industrial complex.”
Daniel Nichanian Apr 19, 2021
Cuomo Concedes on Two Big Wins for Criminal Justice Reform
The embattled New York governor, who advocates describe as a longtime impediment to reform, signed bills to legalize marijuana and considerably restrict solitary confinement in the state.
Veronica Riccobene Apr 01, 2021
‘Life Sentences Are Death Sentences.’ How This D.A. Candidate Wants to Decarcerate Manhattan
Dan Quart makes the case for addressing the “systemic breakdown” in New York’s prisons and jails with shorter sentences, ending cash bail, and other reforms.
Daniel Nichanian Mar 11, 2021
In Manhattan D.A. Race, Momentum Builds to Decriminalize Sex Work
Most candidates running in the June election for DA say they would not prosecute cases involving consensual sex work, a striking sign of local activists’ success.
Sam Mellins Mar 04, 2021
BLM Activist Shakes Up Sheriff Race in County Known for Deadly Jails
After 30 jail deaths in 16 years, the sheriff election in Erie County, New York, could force a reckoning.
Raina Lipsitz Feb 04, 2021
Will Manhattan’s Next D.A. Break Ranks With Tough-on-Crime Colleagues?
New York’s association of state DAs has fought measures such as bail reform, but three candidates in Manhattan’s DA election say they would not join it.
Sam Mellins Feb 02, 2021
New York Ends a Punishment That Traps People in Poverty
A new law will stop the suspension of driver’s licenses when New Yorkers fail to pay fines.
Jonathan Ben-Menachem Jan 05, 2021
New York Senator Makes the Case for Defunding the NYPD
“These changes won’t be made unless we demand them loudly and relentlessly,” says state Senator Julia Salazar.
Daniel Nichanian Jun 01, 2020
A Powerful D.A. Fought New York’s Reforms. His Challenger Wants to Push Them Further.
Matt Toporowski, up against the former head of the DA’s association, says he would “walk down the halls with advocates and lobby for progressive reform.”
Daniel Nichanian Apr 30, 2020
When People in Prison Can Vote, Officials “Treat Them With Some Respect”
A New York bill would abolish felony disenfranchisement. That would mean law enforcement is no longer the arbiter of who gets to vote.
Daniel Nichanian Nov 22, 2019
New York Adopted Pretrial Reforms. Its DA Races Will Decide Who Implements Them.
New York DA candidates starkly disagree on bail and discovery reforms in Queens and three upstate counties, Dutchess, Monroe, and Ulster.
Daniel Nichanian Oct 10, 2019
Tiffany Cabán’s Success in Queens Shines Spotlight on Grassroots Organizing
New Yorkers voted in their DA primaries.
Daniel Nichanian Jul 03, 2019
The Queens D.A. Race Shakes Up New York's Legal System: "This is Just the Beginning"
Our roundtable probes the stakes of the Queens DA election for criminal justice reform: “If there is room for reform anywhere in the boroughs of New York City, it is in Queens.”
Daniel Nichanian Jun 20, 2019
Criminal Justice Reform in the States, June 13, 2019 Edition
Legislative Roundup: Arizona and Minnesota legislature adjourn with little to show on reform, New York lifts ban on gravity knives, and more Many of the laws that govern the American criminal justice system are set at the state level. Explore the latest developments on criminal justice reform in state legislatures around the country with the […]
Daniel Nichanian Jun 13, 2019
New Yorkers from Queens to Rochester Vote for Prosecutor This Year: A First Preview
Criminal justice reform, discovery rules, immigration: What’s at stake in New York’s 2019 elections for DA?
Daniel Nichanian Apr 18, 2019
New York's 2019 Elections for Sheriff and DA: A Masterlist
New York holds 25 elections for district attorney and 16 elections for sheriff in 2019. This page has a masterlist of the candidates who filed party petitions.
Daniel Nichanian Apr 18, 2019
New York Sheriff Who Joined ICE Program May Coast to Re-Election
Sheriff Patrick Russo faces no challengers. But the state legislature could act to restrict local cooperation with the federal agency.
Daniel Nichanian Apr 11, 2019
New York Lawmakers Overhaul Pretrial Rules but Reforms Falter Elsewhere
The New York legislature overhauled discovery and bail, adopting a budget deal that contains reforms that state organizers have long worked toward.
Daniel Nichanian Apr 03, 2019
"We Desperately Need Reform Regarding Discovery Rules:" A Q&A with Shani Curry Mitchell
Shani Curry Mitchell, a Democratic candidate for district attorney in New York’s Monroe County, discussed proposed state reforms.
Daniel Nichanian Mar 07, 2019
Legislative roundup (Feb. 28 edition): from Indiana, New Hampshire, New York, Utah, and Vermont
New York coalition pushes for decriminalization for sex work, Utah considers deportation consequences, and more.
Daniel Nichanian Feb 28, 2019
New York City Plan for Overdose Prevention Centers Runs into Resistance by Some Officials
In the face of an overdose epidemic, Bronx DA Darcel Clark rejects a harm reduction strategy and Governor Cuomo chooses inaction.
Vaidya Gullapalli Jan 23, 2019
New York Can Do More Than Adopt Texas’s Discovery Laws
New York would benefit from looking at Texas, which is surprisingly progressive on various criminal justice issues. But while legislative reforms are necessary, they are in no way sufficient.
Sarah Lustbader Jan 18, 2019
New York Democrats Won Big. Will They Deliver Big Change?
Since the election, groups have called for legislative reforms that will reverse the state’s tough-on-crime policies.
Vaidya Gullapalli Nov 20, 2018
Reviewing the 2018 Results: Bail Reform Momentum Builds in Texas and New York
Candidates who have pledged to curb pretrial detention gained in Texas, and grabbed a legislative majority in New York.
Daniel Nichanian Nov 10, 2018
2018 Election Preview: District Attorney of Rensselaer County, New York
A year after being charged with misconduct, a prosecutor seeks re-election
Daniel Nichanian Nov 01, 2018
7 progressives Defeat New York Senators. What’s Next in Albany?
Alessandra Biaggi and Zellnor Myrie explain the change they want to bring.
Daniel Nichanian Sep 20, 2018
2018 Election Preview: Sheriff of Ulster County, New York
Election for Ulster County sheriff fought over over immigration, opoids.
Daniel Nichanian Sep 20, 2018
2018 Election Preview: Governor of New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s attitude on criminal justice has swung wildly in recent years. In 2016 he vetoed bipartisan legislation that would have strengthened New York’s public defense system, and he has rarely used his clemency powers. But this year Cuomo announced that he would restore the voting rights of tens of thousands of people by issuing pardons, and signed a bill establishing […]
Daniel Nichanian Sep 04, 2018
2018 Election Preview: 14th Congressional District of New York
Criminal justice reform front-and-center in New York’s 14th Congressional District Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had a victory heard around the country on June 26, becoming the Democratic nominee in New York’s 14th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of the Bronx and Queens. Ocasio-Cortez is heavily favored to win the general election. She published an essay on the “urgency of criminal […]
2018 Election Preview: 11th Congressional District of New York
Dan Donovan faces challenge, three years after wrapping-up investigation into Eric Garner’s death