Protect Kalief’s Law in New York

Call your lawmakers at 516-916-7076 and urge them to protect Kalief’s law. 

New Yorkers accused of committing crimes are once again at risk of being “blindfolded.”

Governor Kathy Hochul has included provisions in her FY26 budget proposal to repeal crucial reforms that were passed in 2019 to protect New Yorkers. The 2019 reform changed unjust discovery rules — previously known as the “blindfold law” — which prevented people accused of crimes from accessing critical evidence that any person should expect to have when criminal charges are brought against them. New York’s discovery law was ranked the fourth-worst in the country before this change.

Now, the state may take a step backward.

Police and prosecutors, who are directly involved in criminal investigations, have an enormous advantage when it comes to accessing evidence in criminal cases. New York’s current discovery law (after being reformed in 2019) ensures that both sides in a legal case have prompt and comprehensive access to evidence so that people accused of crimes can make informed plea agreements and defend against wrongful convictions. A strong discovery law is fundamental to protecting innocent people. Protecting transparency and due process through fair discovery laws is essential to keeping our communities safe. New York must never put the blindfold back on. Use the form above to contact your state legislators and urge them to protect Kalief’s Law.