Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that photo identification evidence can now be legally entered at trial in New York State. The move becomes effective today, and it means that a photo array used by police in questioning a witness can now be introduced as evidence in a criminal case. Cuomo contends that the move will bring greater fairness, transparency and effectiveness to trials and will further protect innocent people from arrest.
The Governor defended the law, stating "This administration has fought tirelessly to ensure our criminal justice system works for all New Yorkers, and today we have taken another step forward. Photo identification evidence can be a powerful tool to convict a perpetrator and protect the innocent, and these new procedures lay out a fair and effective path to help ensure criminals are caught and justice is served."
The law had been included in the state budget.
