• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy California reparations committee calls for ending cash bail, no longer prosecuting low-level crimes
Economy

California reparations committee calls for ending cash bail, no longer prosecuting low-level crimes

by May 12, 2023
by May 12, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

California’s reparations task force is pushing for the state to end cash bail and the prosecution of low-level crimes as part of its campaign to pressure the Golden State to make amends for slavery and anti-Black racism. 

The task force, which was created by state legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2020, formally approved last weekend its final recommendations to the California Legislature, which will decide whether to enact the measures and send them to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

The recommendations included several proposals related to criminal justice, including the elimination of cash bail.

‘The cash bail system is at the core of many of the class and race-based inequities in the criminal legal system,’ the task force wrote in its proposal. ‘The task force accordingly recommends that the legislature take all steps necessary to definitively end cash bail.’

Democrats and progressive prosecutors across the country have in recent years taken steps to end cash bail, arguing it’s unfair to low-income people who can’t afford it. According to the committee’s final report outlining its proposals, a cash bail system allows those with resources to return to their homes and jobs while others remain in jail before their trials despite the presumption of innocence.

‘Pretrial detention can last months and even years, during which incarcerated individuals suffer countless harms, including deteriorating mental and physical health, risk of sexual violence and lasting trauma,’ the task force wrote. ‘These harms exert significant pressure on defendants to accept plea bargains in order to be released from custody rather than fighting the charges at trial.’

Many Republicans and other critics counter that bail helps keep people from committing crimes and that eliminating it will only incentivize more criminal behavior. A recent study found that criminal offenders let out with low bail or at no cost under zero-bail policies re-offended more often than those who posted bail.

Still, the Newsom-backed panel says racial disparities persist in pretrial detention outcomes, arguing the setting of bail hurts Black defendants more than White defendants. 

As a result, the committee wrote that California should codify ‘a presumption of pretrial release in all criminal cases,’ increase funding for ‘non-law enforcement pretrial services agencies to improve pretrial release support programs,’ and implement a ‘statewide zero bail schedule.’ Additionally, the task force calls for the legislature to create a framework for compensating people held before trials who were later acquitted or exonerated.

The task force’s proposal to eliminate cash bail appears to be part of a broader push to lessen penalties for criminals. Indeed, later in its report, the committee outlines what it describes as ‘overpolicing’ of Black Americans before calling for California to stop prosecuting low-level crimes.

‘Given the devastating impacts of this kind of over-policing, the task force recommends that the legislature prohibit law enforcement from criminally enforcing public disorder infractions and other low-level crimes,’ it wrote. 

‘Instead, a public health and safety institution, without criminal arrest or prosecution powers, would enforce prohibitions such as sleeping on the sidewalk, fare evasion, spitting on the train and similar transit-related or other public disorder violations that criminalize poverty.’

The task force goes on to propose those arrested or criminally prosecuted for such violations should be allowed to sue for damages or automatically receive a damages payout. Similarly, the report calls for the legislature to establish a way to compensate those previously convicted of loitering with intent to commit prostitution.

Such proposals wouldn’t be new for California, which has in recent years pursued several initiatives deemed soft on crime by critics. 

The state, for example, has changed crimes like theft of goods under $950 and drug possession from felonies to misdemeanors, reducing California’s prison population by 13,000 inmates. Prisoners are also able to shorten their sentences through good behavior.

In recent years, lawmakers in California have voted to limit gang-related sentence enhancements, allow loitering related to prostitution and automatically seal conviction and arrest records for most offenders not convicted of another felony within a four-year period. A bill under consideration would prevent police from using K-9s for arrests or crowd control.

The task force additionally recommends the legislature create a system to pay California inmates a ‘fair market value’ for their labor while in prison. These were among a host of other proposals related to criminal justice contained in the report — from abolishing the death penalty to abolishing certain legal protections for police officers that shield them from liability in many cases while carrying out their law enforcement duties.

The recommendations are part of an effort by the task force to remedy what the panel describes as an ‘unjust legal system’ toward Black Californians.

Aaron Kliegman is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Johnson to kick off wide-ranging House probe on college campus antisemitism
  • GOP senators air ‘deep concerns’ over NPR bias, urge CEO to ‘start a course correction’
  • Former George Santos staffer hired by Nancy Mace
  • White House preparing in case Congress makes UNRWA funding pause permanent
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
McCarthy says Biden dragging his feet on debt ceiling: ‘They want a default more than they want a deal’
next post
Dramatic footage captures chaos at the southern border as Title 42 reaches expiration: SEE IT

You may also like

EURUSD and GBPUSD: The Euro returns to the positive side

October 18, 2024

Netanyahu, Israel blast UN court decision over illegal settlements ruling:...

July 19, 2024

House committee sets up vote to expand Section 702 of...

April 12, 2024

Wage and Price Controls Are Not the Answer to Inflation

January 10, 2023

House ignores White House objections, votes to end COVID health...

February 1, 2023

Pete Buttigieg’s husband asks Bud Light boycotters if they plan...

April 11, 2023

Dems save Johnson’s $95B foreign aid plan from GOP rebel...

April 20, 2024

House Republicans choose Scalise as their candidate for speaker after...

October 12, 2023

US-led coalition issues warning to Houthis, vows ‘consequences’ for Red...

January 4, 2024

Cuban-American lawmakers defend Monroe Doctrine amid progressive push to end...

December 23, 2023

EURUSD and GBPUSD: The Euro returns to the positive side

October 18, 2024

Netanyahu, Israel blast UN court decision over illegal settlements ruling:...

July 19, 2024

House committee sets up vote to expand Section 702 of...

April 12, 2024

Wage and Price Controls Are Not the Answer to Inflation

January 10, 2023

House ignores White House objections, votes to end COVID health...

February 1, 2023

Pete Buttigieg’s husband asks Bud Light boycotters if they plan...

April 11, 2023

Dems save Johnson’s $95B foreign aid plan from GOP rebel...

April 20, 2024

House Republicans choose Scalise as their candidate for speaker after...

October 12, 2023

US-led coalition issues warning to Houthis, vows ‘consequences’ for Red...

January 4, 2024

Cuban-American lawmakers defend Monroe Doctrine amid progressive push to end...

December 23, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • The S&P 500 Snapped Back Hard: Now What?

      May 14, 2025
    • How to Use Relative Strength in a Volatile Market

      May 14, 2025
    • Fintech company Chime files for Nasdaq IPO

      May 14, 2025
    • Tariff Tensions Ease, Nasdaq Soars — But is SMH the Emerging Leader?

      May 13, 2025
    • Father and son fraudsters sentenced in case of $100 million New Jersey deli

      May 13, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,640 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,345 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,326 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,305 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,189 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,075)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,546)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • The S&P 500 Snapped Back Hard: Now What?

      May 14, 2025
    • How to Use Relative Strength in a Volatile Market

      May 14, 2025
    • Fintech company Chime files for Nasdaq IPO

      May 14, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,075)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,546)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Biden admin’s top officials attempted to...

    December 24, 2023

    Texas bill would require Title 42...

    January 20, 2023

    New Hampshire House passes $15.9B budget...

    April 7, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here