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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

NY Stepping Up Bail-Reform Efforts

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Monday, October 5, 2015   

NEW YORK - New York state is taking a serious look at reforming bail for criminal defendants. Last week the state's chief judge said he will institute several changes including encouraging judges to set bail at affordable levels, reviewing bail amounts within 10 days of arraignment, and retraining judges in alternatives to bail.

According to attorney Justine Luongo, who oversees criminal practice for the Legal Aid Society of NY, for many defendants even $500 is out of reach.

"There are far too many people who can't afford bail stuck in the system or being either forced to plead guilty or lose their jobs or their homes to fight their case," says Luongo.

In New York City alone, about 50,000 people go to jail to await trial every year simply because they can't pay their bail.

State Senator Michael Gianaris is proposing legislation that would eliminate bail for misdemeanors and other non-felony infractions, releasing most on their own recognizance or with some supervision. Luongo says pilot programs in New York City show that works.

"People who are released to their communities who can return to their families, their children, their jobs, their education, their housing will return to court," Luongo says.

If adopted, Gianaris' proposal would put New York State at the forefront of nationwide efforts to reform bail systems.

But reforming bail is only part of the solution to mass incarceration. Luongo says jails are overflowing because there are too many arrests and too few judges.

"There are many people who are being arrested on things that shouldn't actually be crimes in the first place and might rightfully be part of a civil summons system," says Luongo.

Efforts to reform the bail system have grown in response to the suicide of Kalief Browder, a young man who spent three years in jail awaiting trial because he couldn't afford bail.



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