The PROTECT Act

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, New York is the only state in the country that does not allow judges to consider public safety when deciding whether someone should be released or held in jail before trial. As a result, people charged with violent crimes can be released back into the community even when there is a real risk they will offend again. Law enforcement officers see the consequences of this gap every day, when repeat and violent offenders are put back on the street with little or no review of the danger they pose.

The PROTECT Act, which stands for Pretrial Risk Overview for Threat Evaluation, Custody, and Treatment, was developed with input from law enforcement and community faith leaders, including Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione, Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter, Wayne County Sheriff Robert Milby, and Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty. The bill requires judges to use a standardized risk assessment tool when making pretrial decisions for individuals accused of a Class A misdemeanor or felony. Simply put, It gives judges the tools they need to help keep our neighborhoods safe.

Senator Pam Helming is working to make the PROTECT Act law and ensure judges can consider public safety when making pretrial decisions. If you agree with putting the safety of our communities over violent and repeat offenders, we invite you to join us and sign the petition in support of the PROTECT Act:

https://www.nysenate.gov/questionnaires/pamela-helming/sign-my-petition-enact-protect-act