Republicans and law enforcement authorities are decrying an overhaul to New York�s bail law that will go into effect at the beginning of next year.

Their comments on Thursday deepened the political battle surrounding the implementation of changes to the state�s criminal justice system.

State Sen. Sue Serino says lawmakers rushed to reform and �failed to consider the very real danger that these sweeping changes will have on communities.�

The bail law that passed earlier this year is expected to lessen the number of people held in jail while awaiting trial. It eliminates pre-trial detention and money bail for the wide majority of misdemeanor and non-violent felony cases.

Reform supporters argue it will prevent poor people languishing in jail for low-level crimes while their cases work through the system.

(AP)