Coronavirus: California justices rescind emergency zero-bail order
Source: The Mercury News
SAN FRANCISCO — A controversial statewide court order that provided bail relief to low-level arrestees — and keep them out of jails trying to tamp down COVID-19 spread — is set to expire after California’s judicial rule-makers voted to rescind the policy.
In a vote announced late Wednesday afternoon, the Judicial Council, led by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, chose 17-2 in favor of ending the $0 emergency bail schedule that has been in place since April 13. The order expires June 20, though individual county Superior Courts will have the discretion to institute their own local orders to preserve the policy.
“The Judicial Council’s action better reflects the current needs of our state, which has different health concerns and restrictions county-to-county based on the threat posed by COVID-19,” Justice Marsha Slough said in a statement Wednesday. “We urge local courts to continue to use the emergency COVID-19 bail schedule where necessary to protect the health of the community, the courts, and the incarcerated.”
Slough added that county courts have by June 20 to indicate “whether they plan to keep the COVID-19 emergency bail schedule, or another reduced bail schedule.” The vote was not held live, and no public hearings were held prior to the vote.
Read more: https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/06/10/coronavirus-california-justices-rescind-emergency-zero-bail-order/
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