Murder Victim’s Mother Sues Chris Christie Over NJ Bail Reform
In a federal lawsuit against Gov. Chris Christie, a grieving mother says New Jersey’s bail reform law freed a violent criminal from jail without bond to shoot her son 22 times.
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bail reform
OC District Attorney Fights California Bail, Sex & Gun Reforms
The Orange County district attorney on Monday blasted bills pending in the Legislature that would loosen California’s sex-offender registration requirements, largely eliminate its bail system, and allow shorter sentences for felony use of a gun, saying the changes would have “a dramatic and negative impact” on public safety.
Read moreHigh Court Rejects Texas County’s Bid to Stop Release of Poor Inmates
Claiming that complying with a federal judge’s order to release poor, “potentially dangerous” people charged with misdemeanors from its jail in Houston will cause irreparable harm, Harris County asked the U.S. Supreme Court late Tuesday to stay the order.
Read moreTexas County Appeals Injunction in Bail Dispute
Harris County, Texas officials refused Tuesday to buckle to public pressure to settle a lawsuit in which a federal judge ordered the county to release poor misdemeanor defendants from jail within 24 hours, and instead filed an appeal to the Fifth Circuit.
Read moreFederal Judge Strikes Down Houston-Area Bail System
Texas’ most populous county unconstitutionally jails poor people charged with misdemeanors only because they cannot afford bail, a pretrial-detention system that also violates state law, a federal judge ruled.
Read moreCalifornia Pushes Major Reform of Bail System
When Melodie Henderson was arrested 10 years ago, she had no idea it would be the beginning of a decade-long ordeal that would devastate her family financially and ruin her credit — until she was hit with a $50,000 bond.
Read moreJudge Weighs Injunction in Houston Bail Case
In 100 days, Harris County, Texas is set to revamp its bail system to ensure petty criminals don’t languish in its crowded jail, but a federal judge is weighing class-action claims that reforms can’t wait.
Read moreExpert Details Houston Jail’s New Risk-Assessment Tool
The expert behind a data tool touted as a cure for overcrowding in Texas’ biggest jail explained in federal court Tuesday how the system will make bond recommendations within 30 minutes of an arrest.
Read moreTexas Sheriff Among Critics of His Own Bail System
The man in charge of Texas’ busiest jail is a defendant in a federal class action attacking his county’s bail system, yet he sided with the plaintiffs Wednesday, testifying that most poor misdemeanor arrestees should be released from jail on no-fee bonds.
Read morePressure Mounts Against Bail System in Houston
The CEO, district attorney and sheriff of Harris County, Texas, all agree its bail system needs to be reformed, siding with a federal class action that’s pushing to keep poor people accused of petty crimes out of its jail.
Read moreTexas Lawmaker Names Bill After Sandra Bland
A black woman who hanged herself in a Texas jail had a bill introduced in her honor this week by a state lawmaker who wants county inmates to have 24/7 access to mental health counselors.
Read moreTexas Lawmaker Seeks Ouster of Attorney in Bail Case
A Texas state senator who agrees with a class action claiming the state’s most populous county unconstitutionally jails poor people wants an attorney representing the county removed for his “disgraceful statements” during a recent hearing.
Read moreN.J. Court Orders Probable-Cause Docs Released
New Jersey’s appeals court ruled Wednesday that defendants must be allowed to review documents used to establish probable cause, modifying the state’s new bail reform law.
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