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Q&A

Councilmember Cabán questions out-of-state fugitive warrant training and release

New York City Council · Jun 25, 2026 · starts 0:58:44 · 1 min 30 sec

Cabán asks about judge training on out-of-state fugitive warrants from neighboring states, noting they take months to resolve. Zayas says training covers exercising discretion including release options, and offers to check for data.

Tiffany L. Cabán

I'm trying to be selective here with some of my questions.

Tiffany L. Cabán

I know I don't have a ton of time.

Tiffany L. Cabán

Oh, I want to ask you about...

Tiffany L. Cabán

about out-of-state, about fugitive warrants.

Tiffany L. Cabán

So I want to know what the current training is for judges on out-of-state fugitive warrants, because OCA can train judges to, for example, to release clients on fugitive warrants from at least the neighboring states, like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, for example, because

Tiffany L. Cabán

They take oftentimes like around a month, sometimes more to resolve, even when there's no local hold.

Tiffany L. Cabán

It's totally unnecessary.

Tiffany L. Cabán

And, you know, those clients, when they're not, when the bail isn't set, when they're not remanded, they're almost always going back to those neighboring states, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, to clear those warrants.

Tiffany L. Cabán

So can you talk about the current training and advising on how you handle, particularly fugitive warrants from like New Jersey and Pennsylvania?

Tiffany L. Cabán

Considering the data that shows that these folks, when they are released, they're going to clear those warrants.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

Right.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

I mean, the training is that there didn't used to be the right to a release in those days.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

And so the training is that they should be exercising their discretion based on all of the facts.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

in circumstances in the case to consider their options, one of which is release.

Tiffany L. Cabán

Do you have data on how often that's happening?

Tiffany L. Cabán

And then I'll hand it back to the chair.

Judge Joseph A. Zayas

I'm not sure we do have data, but we'll get back to you on it.

Tiffany L. Cabán

Great.

Tiffany L. Cabán

Thank you.

Tiffany L. Cabán

Thank you, Chair.

Selvena N. Brooks-Powers

Thank you.