One of the central ideas of our criminal justice system is the promise of a speedy trial. Felony cases in the Bronx have seen the longest delays in New York City. Seven in 10 cases have surpassed the state’s guidelines, which require that most felony crimes be tried within 180 days. Cases are piling up and prosecutors are failing to get convictions. Bronx is responsible for more than half of the cases in New York City’s criminal courts that are more than two years. Two-thirds of the defendants in these cases have been in jail awaiting trial for more than five years. Slashed judicial budgets resulting in not enough judges to hear cases and reduced number of prosecutors available to try the case can be attributed to the majority of the Bronx trial delays.
Concerns about New York City’s overall overburdened and under financed court system have created a sense of urgency across the state with many other courts across New York City exceeding guidelines for bringing felony cases to trial. In fact, statistics show that excessive delays of 180 citywide have nearly doubled since 2000, even though the total number of felony cases dropped by almost a quarter. State budget cuts the past two years resulted in nearly 12% reduction the annual spending in the Bronx and other courts across the State of New York. With less than half of jury trials in the Bronx ending in guilty verdicts, many are questioning whether violent crime rapists and murders may be set free because the system is failing.
Hiring a NY Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are charged with a violent felony crime in New York City, these are serious charges. If convicted, you could face long prison sentences, fines and penalties. The services of a skilled and experienced New York criminal defense attorney, who understands the New York criminal justice service, are required.
The NY criminal defense lawyers at our firm are here to help you navigate the criminal justice system and to fight to get your case resolved in a timely manner by negotiating with the prosecutor to get the charges reduced to a lesser crime, entering into a plea bargain or getting your case dropped for lack of evidence. With such high stakes, having a competent and qualified New York criminal defense attorney at your side ensures that your rights are being fully protected.
