California to remove Bail Requirements for most Defendants.
California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill that would remove the requirement of posting bail. Bail is also know as a Bond.
What is the Purpose of Bail (Bond)?
The purpose of posting money to get out of jail until your trial or until the case is resolved is to ensure you will return to court. If you fail to return to court, the court will keep your money (bail),
Will Illinois Follow California?
The Cook County State’s Attorney, Kim Fox, has already reduced or eliminated bond in many cases. The new rule in Cook County is a bond has to be affordable to the defendant or a no-bond has to be set.
Why Does it Matter?
For example, on a speeding ticket, the police officer will usually take your driver’s license as bond. Once you go to court, you get your license back once the case is over. Most police departments are no longer taking your driver’s license. So, this no security requirement has already been taken place. However, does holding on to a person’s driver’s license or requiring them to post money ensure that they will return to court? As an attorney for over 24 years, I generally find that the money posted does not matter. Either a person will take the case seriously and appear or not.