As judges of New York’s city and state courts, we are writing to express our support for the Domestic Violence Merit Time Credit Bill, (S.3438/A.4516-A), sponsored by Senator Velmanette Montgomery, chair of the Social Services, Children and Families Committee and Assembly member Helene Weinstein, chair of the Judiciary Committee. This important legislation would amend New York’s Correction Law to allow persons who have committed crimes of violence as a result of the domestic abuse they have suffered to earn and apply for merit time reductions of their sentences, a possibility from which they are currently excluded.
Merit time currently allows those serving prison sentences for non-violent crimes to earn a possible one-sixth reduction of their term if they have achieved certain rehabilitative objectives and have not engaged in any egregious disciplinary infractions. Obtaining a GED, an alcohol and substance abuse treatment certification, a vocational training certificate following at least six months of vocational programming, or performing 400 hours of service as part of a community work crew, qualify other eligible inmates for this benefit.
