Aggregated News
ALBANY — Even convicted fare beaters would have to give a DNA sample to cops under a plan being pushed by Gov. Cuomo.
Cuomo, as part of his State of the State Address last Wednesday, called for a vast expansion of the state’s DNA database to include samples from persons convicted of “all crimes” in the state, including misdemeanors.
Currently, only those convicted of felonies and a limited number of misdemeanors are required to submit samples of their DNA to authorities.
“We are missing an important opportunity to prevent needless suffering of crime victims,” Cuomo said in his message to the Legislature. “We are also failing to use the most powerful tool we have to exonerate the innocent.”
Police and prosecutors praised the move, saying Cuomo’s immense political clout is needed to break a logjam in the Legislature and correct a glaring weakness in a state’s crime-fighting database.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said only about half of offenders convicted in the state now submit DNA samples, including many found guilty of misdemeanor drug and weapons charges.
“It...
Cuomo, as part of his State of the State Address last Wednesday, called for a vast expansion of the state’s DNA database to include samples from persons convicted of “all crimes” in the state, including misdemeanors.
Currently, only those convicted of felonies and a limited number of misdemeanors are required to submit samples of their DNA to authorities.
“We are missing an important opportunity to prevent needless suffering of crime victims,” Cuomo said in his message to the Legislature. “We are also failing to use the most powerful tool we have to exonerate the innocent.”
Police and prosecutors praised the move, saying Cuomo’s immense political clout is needed to break a logjam in the Legislature and correct a glaring weakness in a state’s crime-fighting database.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said only about half of offenders convicted in the state now submit DNA samples, including many found guilty of misdemeanor drug and weapons charges.
“It...
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