The New California Bail Law Reform- How This Affects Your Loved Ones
What the End of Cash Bail Means
Under the old cash bail system, which remained virtually unchanged until late August, a person accused of wrongdoing gets brought before a judge. During this time, the judge informs them of the charges against them and sets bail at specified cash value. The purpose of the cash bail stands to ensure that accused persons appear for trial when released from jail.
The new bail law reform, Senate Bill 10, signed by Governor Jerry Brown, eliminates this cash-based system and replaces it with a risk assessment process. The new “risk assessments” use different determinants to decide how likely the defendant is to flee before the trial begins.
Those accused of misdemeanor crimes or “low risk” felonies are likely to be released, while those who are believed to be “medium” or “high risk” may still be preventatively detained. While this risk assessment system has already shown to have its shortcomings and has required more judicial overhead, many people agree that the end of cash bail and the for-profit bail loan industry been long overdue in California.
Bail money can pose a severe financial burden and cause significant disruption in everyday life, especially for low-income individuals. Many social justice advocates have hailed the end of this system that has put such undue hardship on defendants and their loved ones. Thanks to CA’s bail law reform, families of the accused are now protected against the predatory bail bond industry and will no longer have to risk going into debt only to get a child, parent or another relative out of jail.
Reducing California’s pretrial jail population will also help keep families together and reduce the social costs that come from disrupting a person’s ability to maintain their income or housing. Furthermore, by freeing up space in the jail system for potentially higher-risk offenders, this reform will help to keep all Californian families safer.
Finding a San Diego Attorney to Help You Through the Pretrial Process
Griffin Law Offices has been recognized as a top-rated trial attorney in San Diego County and has been prominently featured on NBC, CBS News, ABC News, and other respected news sources both in California and nationally. We have the courtroom skills necessary to win cases for our clients, thanks to our years of training and experience with the most advanced trial advocacy techniques. We also keep ahead of the latest legal developments here in San Diego and statewide so that we can leverage these changes to best help our defendants.
We understand that those who stand accused of crimes of violence face a tough challenge in the legal system and that changes to the pretrial process can make things more confusing than ever before. That’s why it pays to have an advocate who has taken on criminal cases of all kinds, and who can help you and your loved ones prepare for what is ahead.
If you are looking for a criminal defense lawyer who thoroughly understands CA’s bail law reform and who will passionately fight for you through every step in the pretrial process and beyond, you need Griffin Law Offices. To learn more about our legal services, please contact us today for your free consultation with one of San Diego’s criminal defense attorneys.