Oswego Sheriff Backs Governor on Discovery, Mental Health Protections

SHERIFF HILTON URGES LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT GOVERNOR’S PROPOSALS ON DISCOVERY LAW, MENTAL HEALTH PROTECTIONS

Sheriff Hilton of Oswego County stands with his fellow New York State Sheriffs and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association and strongly encourages the New York State Legislature to include Governor Hochul’s proposals on discovery and involuntary commitment in the final budget agreement.

“Public safety should be the number one priority for elected officials, and while I don’t always agree with Governor Hochul’s policies, I believe her proposed changes to discovery and involuntary commitment would keep New Yorkers safer, therefore I call on the New York State Senate and Assembly to adopt these changes immediately,” said Sheriff Hilton.

New York State Sheriffs’ Association President, Sheriff James B. Quattrone of Chautauqua County, took issue with critics of the proposed legislation who claim discovery and involuntary commitment should be sidelined from the budget so they can be debated later. “Discovery has been the subject of debate in Albany for six years now,” he said. “Now is the time to pass this common-sense legislation that protects all New Yorkers while also protecting the constitutional rights of defendants to a fair trial.”

“Under the governor’s discovery proposal, law enforcement and district attorneys would still be required to work diligently toward providing all relevant material to the defense within tight timeframes already established by law. But it would allow judges more leeway in making allowances when prosecutors, for good cause, cannot meet those time frames. Under current law, such failure all too often leads to automatic dismissal of the case, which is unfair to the victims and to the Public,” said Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple Sr., a member of the Association’s executive committee.

“The Governor’s bill would simply allow judges to do their job and grant appropriate remedies when discovery rules are not followed,” pointed out Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol, another member of the executive committee. “Justice is not served, and crime victims suffer when otherwise meritorious cases are dismissed, especially when there have been good faith efforts at timely and complete discovery.”

In reference to the proposed changes to involuntary commitment, Sheriff Hilton points out that law enforcement officers frequently come across individuals who are incapable of getting for themselves the mental health care they need and deserve because of the overwhelming distress they are experiencing. “Sadly, this often leads the unfortunate individual down a path to becoming involved with the criminal justice system. It is imperative that we have the opportunity to help these folks early on so they can get the help they require, before it is too late” said Sheriff Hilton.

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