Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore is expressing concern about the county’s new zero bail policy that is set to take effect this weekend which will allow some criminal suspects to be cited and released when they would have previously been held on bond…
Full story: LAPD chief expresses concern about ‘book and release’ plan under new zero bail policy
Bail or No Bail? Bail has been a controversial topic for a while in the discussion of jails and reform. There have been arguments that bail benefits those who can pay their way out but puts the poor at an extreme disadvantage. Many who cannot afford bail sit in jail and lose their jobs, furthering the troubles they are facing. The other argument is that no bail could put the community in more danger, and release those who should be kept locked up. I feel as though no bail could be an effective way of lowering jail populations and make it more equal for crimes despite economic status. Low-level, non-violent crimes do not pose a threat to society, as long as there is attention paid to the history of the offender. If the boundaries are set in a way that protects the larger community; I believe that removing bail and basing holding off of severity of the crime, can be beneficial to society and the criminal justice system.
Hi Cali, I really agree with all of your arguments. When I first think about bail, the thing that comes to mind is how bail benefits the rich and hurts the poor. It creates leeway for white collar crimes and big government officals to get away with crimes. As you mention bail also makes it so those who are getting into trouble can just get out and more than likely do the same thing over again. I also see that removing bail could really benefit us.
Hello Cali, I agree with your stance on bail, although I am rather conflicted on it. In some cases it could cause dangerous situations in which an offender would go on to commit more crimes when released instead of being held. That is a situational example though, especially since they could still pay the bail and keep committing crimes. While I think bail can help, in most cases I have observed it only benefits people who have the means to pay it. Such as someone wealthy as you’ve stated. It can have detrimental effects on the poor. I do think that a replacement for bail needs to be well thought out before being implemented though. I personally don’t know where to start though.
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