Over 72% Of NYC Violent Crime Suspects Freed Without Bail Go On To Commit More Crimes

New York’s bail reform law makes it more likely that felony suspects are released without bail and will be remanded for more felonies, as well as violent crimes, than those who were granted bail before the law was in effect.

John Jay College of Criminal Justice researchers conducted a study that examined cases before and after the New York law went into effect. The results showed that most of the cases were not subject to bail requirements to be released from jail.

The study revealed that 47% of New York City’s felonies-charged suspects were rearrested. This includes more than 31% of those who were rearrested as felonies, almost four percent for firearm charges, and more than 17% of those who were rearrested as violent crimes.

The rate of rearrest for felony suspects, which include violent crimes and felonies, was higher after they were released on bail than those who were required to post bail prior to the new law.

New York City suspects with criminal records had a 62 per cent chance of being arrested after being released without bail. This included 36% who were rearrested on felonies, 22% rearrested on violent crimes and over four percent for firearm offenses.

The most important finding was that suspects who have been convicted of violent crimes in New York City were more likely to be arrested after being released without bail than those who were held with bail before the law was adopted.

More than 72% of the violent crime suspects that researchers reviewed were rearrested, compared to less than 62 percent who were rearrested prior to the bail reform law.

These violent crime suspects were also rearrested at more than 50% rate for felonies after being released without bail. They were also rearrested at almost 36% for violent crimes. This compares to the situation before the law, when these suspects were rearrested at a 38 per cent rate and a 24% rate for violent crimes.

Research on New York’s bail reform legislation echoes that of other states and cities with nearly identical bail policies.

For example, in Yolo County (California), 70% of the suspects who were released without bail were remanded for additional crimes. Many of these suspects were arrested for violent crimes such as homicide and rape, kidnapping or attempted homicide.