I attended a press conference on Tuesday organized by Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah who announced the launch of Fresh Start, an innovative program that gives second chances to certain first-time, low-level offenders arrested in Westchester County. This initiative takes a constructive, “Community First” approach to criminal justice reform focused on community-based social services instead of incarceration. Greenburgh and White Plains were the two communities selected for this pilot project.
Fresh Start offers a positive response to low-level offenses that enables the participant to be held accountable while avoiding prosecution, conviction, or confinement. With Fresh Start, a person arrested with an eligible charge will have the option of completing a community-based program instead of appearing in court and receiving a criminal record.
Fresh Start will commence as a pilot program for cases originating from the Greenburgh and White Plains Police Departments this fall, with the goal of expanding the program countywide in the future. Very pleased that the DA wants to give low level offenders a second chance.
PAUL FEINER