Hochul Seeks Changes to NY Discovery Laws Amid Domestic Violence Case Dismissals

Governor Kathy Hochul is advocating for urgent changes to New York's discovery laws to address a troubling rise in case dismissals, particularly in domestic violence cases. Recent reports from the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence show that 94% of such cases in New York City were dismissed in 2023, a 26% increase since the reforms enacted in 2019. Hochul emphasized that procedural technicalities, such as missing paperwork, are preventing justice from being served and allowing offenders to evade accountability. Her proposed changes aim to streamline the discovery process while protecting sensitive victim information and reducing pretrial delays. This initiative has received bipartisan support from law enforcement and victim advocacy groups. Hochul remains determined to include these reforms in the state budget despite ongoing negotiations.