Albany, N.Y. - Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is speaking out against criticism of the state's new bail reform laws.
Heastie says while thousands of people have been arrested since the legislation kicked in January 1st, only a few of what he calls sensationalized stories have gone public. The law eliminated pretrial detention and cash bail for several types of non-violent felony and misdemeanor cases.
Some lawmakers, mainly Republicans, have called for changes. GOP Members of the House and Senate were held a rally yesterday in Albany demanding that the so-called reforms be thrown out.
Heastie says the Assembly is still in an information gathering period and he isn't committed to including any reforms in state budget negotiations.