Officials say they're eliminating cash bail for thousands of New Yorkers accused of misdemeanor and non-violent felonies in an effort to divert them from the Rikers Island jail complex.
An $18 million plan to be unveiled Wednesday will allow judges to instead require that people accused of certain crimes be monitored while they wait for their trial.
The supervision will include in-person check-ups and text message reminders to ensure the 3,000 eligible defendants show up to their court dates.
The mayor's criminal justice coordinator, Elizabeth Glazer, tells The Associated Press low-risk defendants will be able to live at home and continue their jobs while awaiting trial.
Recent high-profile deaths of men held at Rikers on low-level charges after being unable to raise bail money have spurred calls for reform.
