Criminal Justice Reforms In NYC

Guardian UK: New York aims to lessen penalties for crimes from littering to public drinking - City council bill would steer offenses to civil court rather than criminal - Criminal justice reforms intended to help unclog the courts and jails

Public urination and most offenses in public parks would be downgraded from misdemeanors to violations, and the council’s plan would reduce the available jail penalties to just one day for violations. Currently, jail time could stretch up to 90 days for such offenses.