All Americans are entitled to a presumption of innocence and due process under the law

To the Editor:

Everyone deserves the presumption of innocence and due process under the law. This includes Legislator-elect Catherine Stark, who was arrested for driving under the influence this past weekend. As Ms. Stark awaits her day in court, she will be able to go to work and receive treatment for her illness at home. Legislator-elect Stark isn’t the first elected official in this situation. Majority Leader Nick Caracappa, who was arrested on charges of domestic violence in 2020, was also able to work and be at home while awaiting trial, as did former Legislator William “Doc” Spencer.

Bail reform provides the same opportunities to those who would have previously languished in jail because they lacked the funds to pay to get out, which disproportionately impacted poor people and communities of color.

The GOP/Conservative Party platform centered on fear-mongering around criminal justice reform legislation. I hope that this moment, where one of their own is affected, will provide the GOP and Conservative parties a moment of self-reflection on their fear mongering of bail reform. The right to due process shouldn’t only apply to the wealthy, powerful, and well-connected.

Shoshana Hershkowitz

South Setauket

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