Lippman said, “This makes no sense and certainly does not serve the best interests of our communities and our citizens,” while delivering his speech at the Court of Appeals in Albany. Lippman also urged lawmakers to permit the use of cameras in state courtrooms.
Lippman’s speech follows the resolution taken last week by the U.S. Conference of Chief Justices to urge states for limiting the use of pretrial detention of defendants just because they are considered flight risks or on suspicions that they may pose a threat to public safety.
Currently, judges are permitted to allow cameras in the courtroom only when witnesses have not been ordered to testify. While New York did have a law to permit use of cameras in courtrooms in most cases, the law expired in 1997.
Among other reforms, Lippman called for raising New York’s age of criminal responsibility to 18 and for reforms meant to reduce wrongful convictions. He also said that attorneys will be required to report all pro bono work they perform in the future as part of the existing biannual registration process.
Lippman was also of the opinion that the legislature should allow judges to impose curfews and order supervision of defendants released without bail.
