No criminal decisions out of the Second Circuit today, although the court did hear arguments today in the infamous “deflate-gate case” and did not seem receptive to the arguments made by the N.F.L. Player’s Union.
Two interesting local criminal justice stories today: First, a look at the plan to stop arresting people in Manhattan for minor offenses , such as public drinking or taking up two seats on the subway, that was unveiled this week by Mayor DeBlasio, Police Commissioner Bratton, and Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance. Vance predicts that the plan will reduce the number of low-level cases coming through the court each year by as many as 10,000. Second, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s Bail Fund, which would provide bail to indigent defendants charged with low-level crimes, has been approved as a not-for-profit charity by the state attorney general’s office. The fund is now waiting for a license.
-Thea Johnson
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