Brooklyn Judge Janice Robinson repeatedly grants low or no bail in serious cases
A review of more than a dozen criminal cases shows Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Janice Robinson consistently set bail far below prosecutors' requests, often releasing defendants without any financial guarantee.
A recent review of over a dozen criminal matters presided over by Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Janice Robinson reveals a pattern of granting minimal or no bail, even in serious charges such as attempted murder. Eight defendants were released without any bail, while the other five received amounts far beneath the district attorney’s demands, including a $1 bond in one case. Critics, including unnamed law-enforcement sources, argue the approach endangers the community by allowing repeat offenders to remain at large.
Robinson, a Brooklyn native and daughter of Jamaican immigrants, was elected to the bench in 2024, served briefly in civil court, and was transferred to the criminal docket in early 2025. She is related to former state Assemblyman and ex-ambassador Nick Perry. The state Office of Court Administration, which represents judges, did not respond to requests for comment.
Why it matters
Low bail decisions in violent cases may affect public safety and confidence in the criminal justice system.
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