New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a legislation establishing a Commission on Prosecutorial Misconduct. It is the latest of the governor’s efforts to reform the state’s criminal justice system.
The commission will be responsible for reviewing and investigating allegations of misconduct by prosecutors. Some of these allegations include malicious prosecutions and wrongful convictions, which often affect people of color and marginalized communities.
Commission on Prosecutorial Misconduct Aims to Eliminate Abuses of Power
In a statement, Cuomo said, “Our criminal justice system must fairly convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent. When any prosecutor consciously disregards that fundamental duty, communities suffer and lose faith in the system, and they must have a forum to be heard and seek justice.”
Additionally, the governor stressed that the commission will provide New Yorkers with “comfort that there is a system of checks and balances in the criminal justice system.”
Furthermore, Cuomo stated that the commission will eliminate any potential abuses of power.
