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Bill

A 6957

Provides judges with more discretion to impose bail on principals and requires certain principals be committed to the custody of the sheriff; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 9 co-sponsors

Expands judges' bail discretion for principals and requires sheriff custody for certain principals, signaling a shift toward stricter pretrial detention.

HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 6957

Bill A-6957 — Summary

Overview

Bill A-6957 is a New York Assembly bill introduced on March 18, 2025, and currently in the Codes committee. The bill’s title indicates two core aims: (1) giving judges more discretion to impose bail on principals, and (2) requiring certain principals to be committed to the custody of the sheriff. The bill also contains a repealer. The introduced sponsor is Andrew Molitor, with a broad roster of co-sponsors.

  • Status: Held for Consideration in Codes (as of May 13, 2025)
  • Introduced: March 18, 2025
  • Primary sponsor: Andrew Molitor
  • Major provisions: expanded bail discretion for principals; mandatory sheriff custody for certain principals; repealer of prior law
  • Classification: bill (criminal/procedural reform)

Purpose and Intent

  • Expand judicial authority to determine appropriate bail for principals in criminal offenses.
  • Ensure certain principals are detained in the custody of the county sheriff, presumably as part of pretrial detention or custody arrangements.
  • Repeal existing provisions (unspecified in the summary) that govern bail or pretrial detention for principals, likely to align with the new framework.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the title and summary)

  • Bail Discretion for Principals:
    • Judges would have greater latitude to set, modify, or deny bail for individuals labeled as principals in crimes.
    • This could affect flight risk assessments, public safety considerations, and monetary or non-monetary conditions of release.
  • Custody of the Sheriff:
    • Establishes or mandates that certain principals be committed to the custody of the sheriff (i.e., pretrial detention in county jail facilities) rather than alternative custody arrangements.
    • May specify thresholds, types of offenses, or procedural steps for when sheriff custody is required.
  • Repealer:
    • Contains a clause repealing existing statutes or provisions related to bail or pretrial detention for principals, signaling a shift in the current framework.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Defendants charged as principals in offenses who fall under the bill’s bail and custody provisions.
  • Courts (Judges in the relevant jurisdiction) who would exercise enhanced bail discretion.
  • County sheriffs and jail systems responsible for custody and pretrial detention.
  • Law enforcement and defense attorneys who navigate pretrial release conditions and detention.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction: March 18, 2025
  • Committee Handling: Referred to Codes on March 18, 2025
  • Status Update: Held for Consideration in Codes on May 13, 2025 (listed twice in actions)
  • Next Steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed through Codes for potential amendments and floor votes; otherwise, it may remain in committee or be amended/retained.

Sponsors

  • Primary: Andrew Molitor
  • Co-sponsors: Robert Smullen, Edward Ra, Jeff Gallahan, Joe DeStefano, Jodi Giglio, Andrea Bailey, Keith Brown, Joe Angelino, Mary Beth Walsh (plus additional cosponsors in the list)

Notes

  • The exact statutory text is not provided here; the summary is based on the bill’s title and available action notes.
  • For a precise understanding of who qualifies as a “principal,” the specific definitions and any related thresholds or offenses would be in the bill’s language.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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