California moving closer to a zero-bail system for misdemeanors, low-level felonies
It s now up to the State Assembly to pass a companion bill before this legislation could be submitted to the governor for his signature Author: Richard Allyn (Reporter) Updated: 10:46 PM PDT May 26, 2021
Cash bail in California may soon become a thing of the past for misdemeanors and many non-violent felonies.
The state senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would require that judges set zero bail for these crimes.
Supporters of the move say that the cash bail system is unconstitutional, unfairly penalizing communities of color.
But critics countered that doing away with bail puts the public at risk. The legislation is modeled after the state Judicial Council s temporary move last year to set bail at zero during the height of the pandemic, to keep jail populations low to curb the spread of COVID.