SB 262 is currently making its rounds through the California State Legislature. If it becomes law, it will significantly impact bail in the state of California.
During the pandemic, emergency provisions were enacted to help stem the spread of COVID-19 throughout the jail system. Bail was reduced to $0 for misdemeanor offenses and low-level felonies. Instead, arrestees would be taken to the police station, cited, and released. These provisions were intended to keep people safe from the virus, but unfortunately, lead to other safety issues in the community.
First, a lot of suspects who were arrested and released went on to commit more crimes before their court date. Several suspects ended up being arrested, cited, and released multiple times in a single day. SB 262 seeks to make these changes to California’s bail system permanent.
If SB 262 is allowed to pass, known recidivists will be free to continue committing crimes even after they are arrested. Judges will still have the right to deny bail to seriously violent offenders, but many others will be allowed to go free. This includes car thieves, burglars, domestic violence suspects, and others. As long as the crimes they commit aren’t considered violent felonies, they will have free reign to run the streets before their court date.
That is, if they show up. By eliminating bail, the legislature is also eliminating the monetary incentive for the accused to show up for court. The police can’t constantly be chasing down failure to appear warrants – a job that many bail bondsmen assist with now.
SB 262, if passed, will cripple law enforcement’s ability to keep criminals off the street and continue ensuring the safety of our communities. If this sounds like a scary prospect to you, contact your local representative today.
