https://web.archive.org/web/20230720121021/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-07-18/l-a-county-courts-to-severely-limit-use-of-cash-bail
Cash bail will no longer be a condition of release for all defendants in misdemeanor and non-violent felony cases in one of the nation's largest court systems starting Oct. 1.
This is long overdue and should be implemented nationwide. Bails are nothing but a class discrimination tool designed to hurt poor people. Glad to see more and more states/cities moving towards discontinuing the horrible practice. That being said, I do agree that keeping it in place for much more serious crimes is probably wise.
I don't see a reason to keep the bail system in place even for serious crimes. If a crime is serious enough to warrant pre-trial detention, then that person should be held regardless of their ability to pay bail.
Yep, people here in England and Wales (Scotland has a similar system too AFAIK) are remanded in custody if they constitute a flight risk or a danger to the public at large. There are no bonds.
I'm torn on this, on one hand it completely makes sense and will definitely help those from a lower income. On the other hand, California has a huge problem with petty theft and this doesn't apply to all forms of assault which means more criminals will just be released. The bail system is B.S. but California should be doing more than just this. Maybe someone with more background knowledge on California can help educate me as to why this will be a net positive.
What do you mean by criminals will be released? If you're proven guilty of theft, you will have to serve the same sentence as before.