NYC Judges Letting Violent Perps Go as Much as 85% of the Time: Report
Sarah Johnson
March 10, 2025
Brief
New York City judges are releasing a high percentage of accused violent offenders without bail, raising public safety concerns and intensifying debates over bail reform laws.
New York City judges are reportedly releasing violent offenders at an astonishing rate, sparking concerns about public safety. An analysis by the New York Post highlighted that some judges are letting as many as 85% of accused violent criminals walk free without bail or pretrial detention.
In Queens, Criminal Court Judge Wanda Licitra, appointed by former mayor Bill de Blasio, made headlines for releasing 29 out of 34 alleged violent felons between January and June 2024. The analysis, which reviewed 96 judges handling at least 25 cases during that time, reveals Licitra's controversial track record. Known for her leniency, she even released Frank Abrokwa in 2022—a man accused of smearing his own excrement on a woman in a subway. The incident, disturbingly, was deemed not bail-eligible under New York’s bail reform laws.
Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Valentina Morales also drew criticism, releasing 83 of 101 alleged violent felons in the same period. One particularly shocking case involved Eric Taylor, a convicted felon accused of assaulting a 24-year-old woman in Union Square. Despite his long criminal history and the bail-eligible nature of the crime, Morales opted to release him. Unsurprisingly, local law enforcement has dubbed her "Judge let-em-go."
Judge Robert Rosenthal's decisions have also raised eyebrows. He released 67% of violent offenders in the first half of 2024, including Jason Ayala, who was facing violent robbery charges. Ayala went on an alleged sexual assault spree the very next day, targeting two children and three women within half an hour. The charges are still pending, but the incident highlights the risks of such judicial decisions.
Other judges, including Manhattan's Marva Brown and Bronx's Eugene Bowen, also showed similarly high rates of releasing accused violent offenders, fueling ongoing debates about the effectiveness of New York's bail reform laws. For instance, Brown released Amira Hunter, accused of attacking a subway musician with a metal water bottle, while Bowen allowed two accused cop attackers to walk free despite prosecutors’ requests for bail.
The judges in question have so far declined to comment on the findings, but the report underscores growing concerns among New Yorkers about the perception—and reality—of safety in the city.
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Editor's Comments
I mean, what are we even doing here? Judges letting violent criminals back onto the streets with a slap on the wrist is like handing a lit match to someone doused in gasoline. These bail reform laws might have been introduced with good intentions, but at what cost? Kids, women, and even cops are becoming victims of repeat offenders, and the system seems stuck in a loop of 'release and regret.'
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