New York County’s top prosecutor has downgraded slightly more than half of all felony cases to misdemeanors in 2022, compared to 39% in 2019, according to new data.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg made criminal justice reform a key part of his 2021 campaign and directed staff to downgrade certain felonies so defendants wouldn’t face as much jail time.
A famous “day one” memo on downgrading charges resulted in a backlash from city police, and the district attorney backed off some changes.
Data analyzed by Fox News shows Mr. Bragg declined to prosecute 35% more felony cases this year than in 2019.