Los Angeles County is about to implement a zero-bail policy. For all save the most egregious offences, it will do away with the current cash bail system.
Legal Challenges Mount as Los Angeles County Prepares for Bail Policy
The new policy’s potential influence on crime is causing anxiety among law enforcement officials and some locals.
The way the judicial system handles persons who are arrested and how long they are held in custody will significantly change as a result. For certain non-violent felonies and misdemeanours, there will be 0% bail.
According to Jeff Stein from the Civil Rights Corps, “This change only affects a very small portion of the pretrial system.”
“In LA, there is just a little period of time between being arrested and seeing with a judge. That may continue for up to five days.
Officers will have three alternatives for releasing a suspect under the new method. One of those possibilities would allow for the suspect to be cited and released right away.
Concerns exist on how everything will function.
On October 1st, the new bail regulations are supposed to take effect.
But on Friday, the city of Whittier announced a lawsuit intended to overturn the ban, claiming support from 11 other cities in LA County.
In order to delay the implementation of the new bail schedule, the city is requesting an injunction. Additionally, it claims to have the support of the cities of Arcadia, Artesia, Covina, Downey, Glendora, Industry, Lakewood, La Verne, Palmdale, Santa Fe Springs, and Vernon.
Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. “This zero-bail schedule is just another policy that leaves us less safe than we should be.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Expresses Concerns Over Implementation of Zero Bail Policy
The county sheriff stated at a recent county Board of Supervisors meeting that 20% of people who are released with no bond are later arrested. He believes that victims should have a voice.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated, “Our communities have not been bashful in telling us about how anxious they are about this development.
“They are concerned about the lack of punishment meted out to criminals. Particularly repeat offenders. whether they witness or hear about individuals who are released right away following an arrest. His or her trust in our criminal justice system is damaged, Luna added.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger of Los Angeles County had a similar opinion when she questioned. “How are we going to ensure that criminals feel there are consequences for their actions?”
According to the sheriff’s office, the new policy only applies to those who have been arrested for misdemeanours and non-violent offences. individuals detained for sexual offences. The zero bail rule will not apply to crimes involving weapons or domestic violence. Some accused would need to have magistrate hearings right away.
The issue is whether there will be sufficient staff to handle the added workload.
What we don’t want, according to Stein, is a backlog of suspects who are still in custody merely because they are unable to see the judge. We thus hope that the court has enough people to handle that.
