Updates

The Truth Behind the Bail Reform Act Recently, California legislators revived a failed bail reform bill in the hopes of eliminating the state’s current bail system.  The modifications have drawn growing concerns from human rights organizations, attorneys and justices across the board.  Many believe that the Act, the way it stands, would do more harm […]

Senate Bill 10 – Pretrial release or detention: pretrial services would repeal existing laws regarding bail as of October 1, 2019 and require that people detained by law enforcement undergo a risk assessment through by Pretrial Assessment Services.  On August 16, 2018 the bill underwent a number of amendments to try to appease concerns.  Still

As we discussed in last week’s blog, more than 100 civil rights leaders and groups signed a joint statement on their concerns with using risk assessment programs in lieu of a bail system to determine whether people should be eligible for pretrial release.  The shared consensus was that using algorithms to determine risk does not

In “The Use of Pretrial ‘Risk Assessment’ Instruments: A Shared Statement of Civil Rights Concerns” over 100 civil rights leaders and groups united to discuss concerns over the use of risk assessment algorithms in lieu of money bail.  The statement, signed by such organizations as the American Civil Liberties Union, MoveOn and the NAACP, indicates

Brandon McGlover, 32, is being held in lieu of $1 million bail after prosecutors with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office allege that he intentionally set 9 California fires.  The fires are spread near the San Jacinto Mountains including the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild which now covers over 18 square miles.  McGlover is scheduled to

Maria Butina, 29, was ordered held without bail by a judge in a DC federal court.  According to court documents, prosecutors believe that Butina was working as a Russian Agent and poses a serious flight risk.  Butina entered a “not guilty” plea to the charges but remains jailed until her trial.  It is believed that

What does the California Constitution say about bail?  What rights and protections are guaranteed by its amendments?  With the ongoing debate about bail reform, it is important to revisit the guarantees provided under the state Constitution.  Many people get confused or are misguided when it comes to bail reform and what protections a defendant has

As reported by the Temecula Patch, 19-year-old Dalex Mendoza is being held at the Indio Jail on $500,000 bail after allegedly shooting at people inside a Temecula residence.  According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting occurred on April 11 when the teen attempted to break into the home on Wenham Way.  The teen

The Long Beach Fire Department suffered a devastating loss this week when a 77-year-old man opened fire on first responders.  Firefighters had been called to Covenant Manor, an 11-story retirement home, early Monday morning.  According to investigators, Thomas Kim, a resident of the building, was responsible for the shooting.  At around 4-am firefighters responded to

Esteban Slavitt, 26, was arrested and charged with felony DUI causing great bodily injury after allegedly striking a 21-year-old Berkeley student.  According to police, the student was jogging near the UC Berkeley campus shortly before 10:00 pm Monday evening when Slavitt struck her with his car.  The collision occurred near the intersection of Durant Avenue