In the weeks since New York State's new bail reform law officially went into effect, the debate over its effects on the criminal justice system have intensified.

The policy eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanors and nonviolent offenses, but law enforcement officials and Republican legislators say the policy is threatening public safety.

But New Yorkers don't have to look far to get insight into how bail reform has played out in other places: New Jersey enacted its own bail reform laws in 2017. And the reform was championed by none other than Republican Governor Chris Christie.

Advocates like Jeremy Travis, from philanthropy Arnold Ventures, call New Jersey's laws a success story, but even there the roll out wasn't smooth—despite its having bipartisan support and several years of preparation.

Travis told WNYC host Jami Floyd that opposition is part of the process. "But New Jersey worked its way through it."

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