Governor Hochul signs executive order expanding remote court hearings

ALBANY, N.Y. (WHEC) — Amid a continued crisis at Rikers Island, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order to expand remote court hearings.

The order temporarily modifies Article 182 of the Criminal Procedure Law to expand discretion to conduct court appearances virtually. The order comes 10 days after Gov. Hochul signed the Less is More Act and announced actions to improve justice and safety in city jails. The governor also announced an agreement with the Department of Corrections and the City to allow for incarcerated individuals to be transferred from Rikers Island to State custody.

Under the agreement, 125 individuals have been transferred from Rikers Island to a state facility, and 185 individuals have been released from Rikers Island in the spirit of Less is More.

The executive order is said to help ease capacity constraints in courthouses and allow corrections staff to be re-allocated to housing supervision and safety.