The Legal Aid Society is calling out Mayor Bill de Blasio for baselessly blaming a rise in the City’s crime rate on the court system, as reported by the New York Post.

In his daily press conference, de Blasio said that “the court system not functioning is having a bigger impact than almost any other factor right now. The absence of those consequences for a whole variety of crimes is undermining public safety.”

Tina Luongo, Attorney-in-Charge of the Criminal Defense Practice at The Legal Aid Society was quick to issue a rebuttal, calling out the Mayor for making unsubstantiated claims. “To blame the courts on the reported increase in crime is absurd and without any evidence,” they said.

“Public defenders have been representing clients throughout this entire time and working around the clock to provide our clients the due process they deserve and the Constitution guarantees,” Luongo continued.