The DePaulia
Nadia Hernandez, Assistant News Editor|January 24, 2021
Correction (1/25/2021):
A previous version of this story listed the no cash bail law as going into effect in 2021. The story has since been updated to reflect that the law will go into effect in 2023.
Non-violent offenders can be allowed to return home while awaiting trial regardless of whether they can pay bail thanks to the Illinois’ new ‘no cash bail’ law, which will go into effect 2023.
“Judges can still detain people pretrial but only for certain felony offenses including domestic violence, murder, and certain gun charges,” said Jacqueline Lazu, associate dean of DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. “The judge will determine the person’s ‘flight risk’ or danger to individuals if released, but in all cases, judges have to impose the least restrictive conditions that ensures the likeliness of the person to return to court.”