Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly is officially launching her reelection campaign by heading to Albany this Tuesday. Her primary focus is advocating for significant changes to New York’s current discovery laws, which she describes as overly lenient toward criminals.
Donnelly, who represents the Republican party, believes her track record speaks volumes. She has a proven history of putting violent offenders behind bars and firmly standing up for the rights and safety of law-abiding citizens. “I have over 32 years of experience as a prosecutor, and my time as District Attorney has shown me how laws like Cashless Bail and the current Discovery Reform have endangered public safety,” she stated, emphasizing the need for change to protect the community.
At a press conference, Donnelly is expected to be joined by Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt and fellow members of the Senate Republican Conference. Together, they will urge New York’s Democratic-controlled legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul to reconsider and potentially repeal the controversial bail reform and discovery reforms implemented in recent years.
Donnelly expressed serious concerns about the impact of these laws, saying, “Since their implementation, we’ve witnessed a revolving door of justice. Criminals are released on technicalities, while innocent victims are left to suffer.” She specifically pointed to the 2019 discovery law change, which accelerated the timeline for prosecutors to share evidence and witness information with defense attorneys, sometimes leading to serious cases being dismissed over minor errors.
The District Attorney voiced her belief that the deadlines set by the discovery law are unrealistic, particularly for prosecutors handling heavy caseloads. Minor mistakes, she argues, are being exploited to let serious offenders walk free. “In certain situations, we’ve even had to disclose sensitive information about victims directly to their attackers,” she noted, highlighting the risks posed by the current laws.
Donnelly’s calls for reform are echoing those of Governor Hochul, who has also indicated the necessity for changes to these discovery rules, largely in response to pressure from the state’s District Attorneys Association.
First elected as District Attorney in 2021, Donnelly triumphed in a significant upset against Democratic state senator Todd Kaminsky, who was a supporter of the aforementioned controversial laws. During her time in office, Donnelly has handled high-stakes cases, including those linked to the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killer and has pushed for convictions in cases involving the attempted murder of local law enforcement officers.
Reflecting on her commitment to Nassau County, Donnelly stated, “When I ran for District Attorney, my pledge was to prioritize the safety of our communities. I have held true to that promise.” However, she also acknowledged, “the fight is far from over.” As she moves forward with her campaign, her focus will continue to remain on ensuring the safety and security of the residents in her jurisdiction.
With a Democratic opponent, Nicole Aloise, a seasoned prosecutor with over 16 years in both the Queens and Nassau district attorney’s offices, Donnelly emphasizes that her experience and results matter. As the November election approaches, she intends to leverage her achievements and advocate for practical changes to strengthen community safety.
In an era where crime rates and public safety are at the forefront of discussions nationwide, candidates like Donnelly are vying to bring accountability back to criminal justice processes. Through her campaign, she aims to restore a balance between the rights of defendants and the justice deserved by victims, all while rallying support from communities tired of seeing justice undermined.
