Discovery

Tragic Discovery: Body of Missing 15-Year-Old Found in Detroit Cemetery Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings

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Detroit, Mich. — A felony charge has been dismissed against a local man after a court hearing related to a July shooting incident involving a teenager. Judge Marlena Taylor of the 36th District Court dismissed the charge against the 26-year-old on Saturday due to the absence of the key witness. The man had been charged on July 17 with a firearms violation following an incident that occurred on July 14 at his apartment located on the 9100 block of Kercheval Street. According to court records, a 13-year-old boy, a neighbor, was handling an unsecured handgun … Read more

New York’s Revised Discovery Laws Aim to Empower Survivors and Streamline Justice System

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Changes to the discovery laws in New York State came into effect this week, following amendments included in the 2026 state budget. These adjustments aim to enhance the judicial process for survivors of domestic violence and other serious crimes while ensuring that defendants’ rights are preserved. The updated discovery process seeks to eliminate a system that allowed automatic dismissals for minor technical errors, which disproportionately affected victims of violence. The revisions received bipartisan support from various stakeholders, including district attorneys, advocates for domestic violence victims, religious leaders, and business organizations. Under the new regulations, courts … Read more

New Discovery Law Amendments Spark GOP Praise and Calls for Timelier Reforms to Protect Crime Victims

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ALBANY, N.Y. – In a move praised by Republicans, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul announced new amendments to New York’s Discovery Laws, set to take effect Thursday. The changes, aimed at bolstering the state’s justice system, focus on better supporting crime survivors and ensuring fair trials, following the adjustments made from the 2019 bail reforms included in the 2026 budget. Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, a Republican from Deerpark, expressed approval of the amendments but criticized their delayed implementation. He noted that the changes should have come sooner to enhance protections for victims and facilitate the work of … Read more

Governor Hochul’s Discovery Law Adjustments: A Step Forward or Just a Band-Aid on a Broken System?

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ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul recently secured a deal with the New York Legislature during budget negotiations aimed at reforming the state’s discovery laws, which some see as a step toward improvement. Proponents of the changes point out that the revisions will help streamline the process for prosecutors, allowing for more focused efforts in gathering evidence. Under the modified law, prosecutors will experience slight adjustments that narrow the types of evidence they must collect rapidly. This includes providing them with some flexibility to summarize evidence they are still attempting to obtain, even if it … Read more