Advocates of Speedy Trial Reform Host Lobby Day and Press Conference to Urge Senators to Vote in Support of “Kalief’s Law”
Advocates and Community Members Demand that Senate Codes Committee Pass Bill to Improve the Effectiveness of New York’s Criminal Justice System and Uphold the Constitutional Right to a Speedy Trial
Albany, New York – On Tuesday, April 25th, the Katal Center for Health, Equity, and Justice, JustLeadershipUSA, advocates, and community members will host a press conference and lobby day urging legislators to support a speedy trial reform bill, “Kalief’s Law,” S1998-A, sponsored by Senator Squadron. The Senate Codes Committee will be meeting on S-1998A and could vote to support the bill.
Kalief Browder spent three years detained on Rikers Island with a charge for which he was never tried or convicted, including more than 700 days in solitary confinement. His case was ultimately dismissed. Kalief fought to recover his life, but the traumatic experience had taken its toll. He committed suicide in 2015 at the age of 22, a final and permanent indictment of New York’s current “speedy trial” statute.
The right to a speedy trial is enshrined in the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Chronic trial delays force thousands of individuals to spend months, even years in pre-trial detention.
“Kalief’s Law” would fix New York’s speedy trial statute, improve the effectiveness of New York’s criminal justice system, and ensure that people are not unjustly and unnecessarily held in pre-trial detention. The Assembly bill sponsored by Assemblyman Aubry passed in February, 130-0 with unanimous bi-partisan support.
Supporters and individuals who have experienced speedy trial issues will hold a press conference to demand that the Senate Codes Committee vote in support of the speedy trial reform bill on Tuesday, April 25.
WHAT: Press Conference to demand that the Senate Codes Committee vote in support of “Kalief’s Law”
WHO: Katal Center for Health, Equity, and Justice, JustLeadershipUSA, Advocates and Community Members for Speedy Trial Reform, and Senator Daniel Squadron
WHEN: Tuesday, April 25, 11:30 AM
WHERE: New York State Capitol Building (Outside Senate Chambers, Third Floor)
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