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AirTalk

Weighing the stakes between public safety and punishing the poor with state bail reform

By AirTalk Staff
Published Apr 18, 2017
READING, PA - OCTOBER 20: A man walks by a bail bonds store on October 20, 2011 in Reading, Pennsylvania. Reading, a city that once boasted numerous industries and the nation's largest railroad company, has recently been named America's poorest city with residents over 65,000. According to new census data, 41.3 percent of people live below the poverty line in Reading. Reading has about 90,000 residents, many of whom are recent Hispanic arrivals who have moved from larger eastern cities over the past decade. While a manufacturing base offering well paying jobs still exists in Reading, many companies like Hershey, Stanley Tool and Dana Systems have either moved elsewhere in the United States or to Mexico in search of cheaper labor. The number of people living in poverty in America, 46.2 million, is now at its highest level for the 52 years the Census Bureau has been keeping records. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
A man walks by a bail bonds store on October 20, 2011 in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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Spencer Platt/Getty Images
)
Listen 25:50
Weighing the stakes between public safety and punishing the poor with state bail reform

A bill to reform the way the state administers bail bonds making it’s way to Sacramento this week.

As reported by Bay Area News Group, AB 42 would enable people to be released at no cost while waiting for trial. The bill will be heard Tuesday before California’s State Assembly Committee on Public Safety. Under the proposed legislation, judges would be able to decide whether individuals would need to be held until their court date.

The bill’s author, Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), argues that high bail fees punish those who cannot afford to be released. But opponents say this bail reform may not keep serious offenders away from the public. Is this the right reform for California’s bail system?

Guests:

Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), California assemblyman representing District 18; he authored AB 42

Eric Siddall, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney; vice president of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys, a collective bargaining agent representing nearly 1,000 Deputy District Attorneys who work for Los Angeles County