Albany, NY — Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced significant amendments to New York’s discovery laws, which will take effect on Thursday, August 7, 2025. These crucial reforms—part of the FY2026 enacted budget—aim to fortify the state’s legal framework by better supporting victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes, holding offenders accountable, and upholding the fundamental right to a fair and timely trial.
Governor Hochul emphasized that the safety and well-being of New Yorkers remain her top priority. These forthcoming reforms will significantly improve public safety laws, offer stronger support for survivors, and streamline the court system to prevent redundant legal proceedings. New York’s discovery laws, already some of the strongest in the country in favor of defendants, are being revised to also serve victims and law enforcement, restoring balance in the legal process.
The previous legal framework, which often led to automatic case dismissals due to minor technicalities, is being restructured. These dismissals often had negative repercussions for survivors of serious crimes. The updated discovery provisions received broad bipartisan support, including from prosecutors, victim advocates, clergy leaders, and business groups.
Key Provisions of the Reform:
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Prosecutorial Effort Review: Courts must now assess the totality of the prosecutor’s efforts before dismissing a case over missing materials, ensuring fairness and proportionality.
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Refined Disclosure Scope: The requirement to submit irrelevant materials is eliminated. This allows prosecutors to focus on relevant evidence collection and expedites trial preparation.
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Good Faith Rule: Prosecutors may proceed once they’ve demonstrated good faith and diligence in collecting discoverable materials—even if some are still pending—ensuring cases are not delayed unnecessarily.
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Speedy Trial Safeguards: Defense attorneys are now required to raise objections early and engage in meaningful discussions to resolve discovery issues, accelerating case resolution.
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Witness Protection Enhancements: Streamlined procedures for protecting witness information aim to foster a safer environment for testimonies.
Broad Support Across Sectors:
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Law enforcement officials, including Steven G. James (State Police), praised the changes for empowering prosecutors and safeguarding victims.
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Pia Hanson (Director of NY Victim Services) emphasized the reforms’ fairness to victims who choose to report crimes.
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Rosanna Rosado (Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services) praised Hochul’s holistic safety approach, highlighting the importance of community–justice system collaboration.
District Attorneys across New York applauded the reforms. Mary Pat Donnelly, President of the NY Prosecutors Association, said the changes would significantly reduce technical dismissals, providing real justice for victims. Other DA leaders called the updates a “victory for justice”, “practical solution”, and “public safety win”.
Legislative & Local Government Endorsements:
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Senator Patricia Fahy noted the reforms strengthen accountability while preserving due process.
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Assemblymember John T. McDonald III said the updates strike the right balance between prosecutorial tools and constitutional rights.
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Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero confirmed the reforms uphold 2020 reforms by maintaining full evidence disclosure and protecting against police misconduct.
Local leaders, including Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and Mayor Kathy Sheehan, praised the reforms for aligning legal processes with constitutional protections and victim accountability.
Sheriff Craig Apple highlighted how minor technical dismissals often denied justice to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Police Chief Brendan Cox underscored that safety sometimes requires targeted legal updates.
Budget Backing:
To reinforce these reforms, $135 million has been allocated in the FY2026 budget to help prosecutors and defenders fully comply with the new requirements.
This funding is part of a larger investment strategy by Governor Hochul, which includes:
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$347 million for gun violence prevention programs
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Increased law enforcement presence in NYC subways
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Measures to combat hate crimes and gender-based violence
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Continued efforts against human trafficking and sexual assault