Bondsmen Would Benefit from Opposed Bail Changes

• December 05, 2011
• by AboutBail Staff
• In the News

SEDGWICK COUNTY, KS -- Members belonging to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council have expressed their objections to proposed changes to the bail system. According to the members, which include Chief Judge James Fleetwood and Sheriff Bob Hinshaw, the proposed changes to the bail system are made by bondsmen and would require defendants accused of low-level crimes to appear before a judge. According to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the changes would increase legal costs and extend jail stays. The proposed changes would place greater restrictions on defendants wanting to be released on their own recognizance. In order to release a defendant on their own recognizance, under the proposed changes, a judge would need to record the reasons why the defendant could be released without bail. Currently, the local county jail processes up to 90 bookings daily and as few as 15 of those booked currently need to see a judge in order to have bail set.

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