Manhattan's new DA has ordered his prosecutors to stop seeking prison sentences for hordes of criminals and to downgrade felony charges in cases including armed robberies and drug dealing, according to a set of progressive policies made public Tuesday.
In his first memo to staff on Monday, Alvin Bragg said his office "Will not seek a carceral sentence" except with homicides and a handful of other cases, including domestic violence felonies, some sex crimes and public corruption.
Assistant district attorneys must also now keep in mind the "Impacts of incarceration," including whether it really does increase public safety, potential future barriers to convicts involving housing and employment, the financial cost of prison and the racial disparities over who gets time, Bragg instructed.
"ADAs should use their judgment and experience to evaluate the person arrested, and identify people: who suffer from mental illness; who are unhoused; who commit crimes of poverty; or who suffer from substance use disorders," Bragg added.
In an accompanying "Day One" letter to his staff, Bragg claimed, "These policy changes not only will, in and of themselves, make us safer; they also will free up prosecutorial resources to focus on violent crime."
A former NYPD captain who was elected on a law-and-order platform, added: "I have a lot of respect for DA Bragg, a former prosecutor. He has a real vision."
At the time, Adams said Bragg's views on addressing crime were "No different than mine," adding: "Alvin Bragg is going to redefine the prosecutor's office and how we are going to ensure that we don't criminalize young people every day in this city."
https://nypost.com/2022/01/04/manhattan-da-alvin-bragg-to-stop-seeking-prison-in-some-cases/
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