BAIL OUT

by Bob Walsh

The legislature of the formerly great state of California at the end of last year passed a "bail reform" act, which was signed into law. If it goes as planned it will, on October 1, eliminate the cash bail system in CA. A new bureaucracy will be set up to evaluate each and every arrestee. Most of them will be kicked OR. Others will not.

This was opposed, as you might expect, by the bail industry. They point out that the current system works tolerably well, if by tolerably well you mean people show up in court. And, except for incremental minor costs, the tax payers pay NOTHING for this. In any event the bail agents of California have managed to get a proposition on the ballot for next November that will shitcan the legislative action.

I THINK that this action puts the legislative action on hold pending voter approval or disapproval, but I confess I don't know that for a fact. I am confident I will hear more in the days ahead, and might even report it if I am sober enough to type.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes Bob, the ballot proposition does put the bail reform legislation on ice till 2020. Shows you the power of the sleazy bail bond industry.