Year in review: crime and justice in 2020 WWNY Year in review: crime and justice in 2020 By Emily Griffin | December 30, 2020 at 2:24 PM EST - Updated December 30 at 9:37 PM WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWNY) - 2020 was a very different year for crime and justice as New York’s bail reform laws took effect January 1, greatly restricting when cash bail could be imposed on accused criminals. It was not well-received by some law enforcement officials or lawmakers. “People that should be incarcerated are no longer incarcerated. Sometimes it was for their own benefit, most times, many many times, it was to protect a victim,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Colleen O’Neill.