'People Deserve A 2nd Chance" DA's Justice Reform Pilot Program

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah unveiled her "Fresh Start" initiative today.

The pilot program is intended to give second chances to certain first-time, low-level offenders arrested in Westchester County. This criminal justice reform initiative will focus on community-based social services rather than incarceration.

"People deserve second chances and incarceration is not always the answer," Rocah said announcing the launch of Fresh Start. "For too long we have seen a destructive cycle of incarceration for people arrested for low level crimes. Many would end up in jail, some would lose jobs and almost all would have a criminal conviction which would make it difficult for them to get housing, loans, education and jobs in the future. And this traditional method of prosecution has not always led to greater public safety or lower rates of recidivism. Instead it has led to the over incarceration of people of color."

Fresh Start will begin as a pilot program for cases originating from the Greenburgh and White Plains Police Departments this fall, with a goal of expanding the program countywide in the future.

"We are excited to participate in this innovative initiative," Greenburgh Police Chief Christopher McNerney said. "We believe that early intervention, such as the Fresh Start program, can keep individuals out of the criminal justice system while offering meaningful resources."

Eligible people who are arrested in Westchester County and charged with low-level offenses such as disorderly conduct, petit larceny, trespassing or marijuana possession, can avoid appearing in court and a criminal conviction by completing a one-time social services counseling program led by the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health. After completion, the DA's office will decline to prosecute the case. Should the offender not participate, fail to complete the program or get re-arrested, they must appear in court as originally scheduled.

“The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County enthusiastically supports Fresh Start,” Executive Director Clare Degnan said. “LASW thanks District Attorney Roach for championing this pilot, Community Mental Health for their expertise, and the White Plains and Greenburgh Police Departments for their assistance. This program will allow participants to avoid the stigma of a criminal record."

Rocah pointed out that an evaluation of a similar program in New York City found a 75 percent reduction in future convictions and improvements in 16 of 17 other measures of public safety. Participants in the program were also found to be less likely to have a new violent felony re-arrest and had fewer new arrests than those in the comparison group.

"The biggest battle is the first battle, and that is believing in yourself," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, endorsing the DA's initiative. "These offenders have committed minor crimes and we believe that with early intervention, we can get them on the right path so they never have to enter a courtroom."