Judge Valentina Morales, Frank Abrokwa, 37, was arrested, and Judge Eugene Bowen are among the most lenient judges in New York City when it comes to releasing violent suspects before trial. These judges have a high rate of setting accused perpetrators free, with some granting release in over 80% of cases, according to an analysis of pretrial detention data from the Office of Court Administration conducted by the Post.
The study focused on 96 judges who presided over a minimum of 25 cases in the first six months of 2024 where the primary charge at arraignment was a violent felony. Despite criminal justice reforms implemented in 2019, most of these cases still allow for bail. One notable example of a judge frequently releasing suspects is Queens Criminal Court Judge Wanda Licitra, who set bail only five times and did not order pretrial detention for any suspects in 34 violent felony cases between January and June 2024.
Licitra even released an individual accused of assaulting a person by smearing feces on their face at a subway platform, who then verbally lashed out at her in court. Some legal professionals have criticized judges like Licitra for prioritizing bail reform ideology over public safety concerns.
According to Hannah E. Meyers, a fellow and director at the Manhattan Institute, judges who consistently release dangerous individuals are putting New Yorkers at risk. While judges have expressed frustration at their limited discretion in setting bail, some argue that there are alternative justifications for holding violent offenders in custody.
The Office of Court Administration declined to comment on individual bail decisions, emphasizing that judges have the authority to make such decisions based on an assessment of the defendant’s flight risk. Despite requests for comment, none of the judges mentioned in the analysis responded.
Judge Wanda Licitra, 65, of Queens Criminal Court has faced criticism for her high rate of releasing accused violent felons, with 85% of cases resulting in release. Appointed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2021, Licitra has garnered attention from both prosecutors and defense attorneys for her leniency towards violent offenders. Last year, she released individuals charged with serious crimes like first-degree assault and second-degree robbery without imposing bail, only for them to be re-arrested later.
According to pretrial data from OCA, there has been controversy surrounding Judge Valentina Morales, who has been dubbed “Judge Let-em-go.” Morales, a Manhattan Criminal Court judge, has been criticized for releasing defendants without bail, including individuals with multiple charges and a history of violent offenses.
One notable case involved Judge Morales releasing a migrant accused of slashing a man in 2023 without requiring bail. Similarly, another incident in January 2024 involved Morales setting free a defendant charged with felony assault, who later went on a sexual assault spree the following day.
Judge Robert Rosenthal, also of the Manhattan Criminal Court, has faced scrutiny for his lenient approach to bail. In the first half of 2024, Rosenthal allowed a significant number of defendants to be released without bail, including a violent robber who subsequently committed sexual assaults just after being released on supervised release.
Furthermore, Judge Marva Brown, who has been on the bench for a short time, has released a considerable number of accused violent felons without requiring bail. Brown’s decisions have raised concerns, as some of the defendants she released have gone on to reoffend.
These cases have sparked criticism from law enforcement officials and the public, questioning the judges’ commitment to public safety and their handling of defendants with violent criminal histories.
In February 2024, there was a video of a woman attacking a subway cellist with a metal water bottle. Shortly after, she was accused of shoplifting at Nordstrom. Earlier this year, she posted bail for a person facing sexual abuse charges, who then allegedly pushed someone into a moving train. The MTA Chairman and CEO expressed concerns about releasing violent repeat offenders into the community.
Judge Eugene Bowen, who presided over many cases between January and June 2024, released accused violent offenders in a significant number of instances. In one case, he let go of a gun-carrying individual without bail. Another person, accused of squatting and drug dealing, was released on supervised release despite prior violent offenses. Bowen’s actions have raised criticism and controversy.
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