MAGISTRATE MELISSA WEST MADE
MONDAY’S DECISIONS ABOUT SETTING
BAIL.
>> THE ALLEGATION IS THAT MR
PARKER OBTAINED $40 IN U.S.
CURRENCY.
JOHN: IN THIS CASE, ALLEGED
THEFT FROM A RELATIVE’S PURSE.
THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND AT 10%
MEANS IT WOULD COST THE
DEFENDANT $100 TO GET OUT OF
JAIL.
ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC
DEFENDER’S OFFICE, IT COSTS $69
A DAY TO INCARCERATE SOMEONE
HERE.
THE NATION GRAPPLES WITH THE
QUESTION, WHAT PRICE PRESUMPTION
OF INNOCENCE
>> AND THE BOND THAT THE
GOVERNMENT TYPICALLY REQUIRES
FLIES IN THE FACE OF A
PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE EVERY
TIME IN THIS COUNTY.
EVERY TIME.
>> IF YOU PRESUMED EVERYBODY WAS
INNOCENT, THEN YOU’D GIVE EVERY
SINGLE PERSON THAT APPEARED IN
FRONT OF YOU AN O R BOND.
FOR PURPOSES OF SETTING BOND,
YOU HAVE TO ASSUME THAT IT
HAPPENED AND THEN SET A
REASONABLE BOND BASED ON THAT
ASSUMPTION.
JOHN: REASONABLE IS THE
OPERATIVE WORD CRIMINAL JUSTICE
REFORMERS USED AS THEY GATHERED
IN FRONT OF CITY HALL.
CREDIT TERMS ARE AVAILABLE AT
BAIL BOND AGENCIES THESE DAYS.
AFFLUENCE DOESN’T EQUAL
INNOCENCE, POVERTY DOESN’T EQUAL
GUILT.
>> MY UNCLES, MY AUNTS HAVE ALL
BEEN A PART OF THE JUSTICE
SYSTEM.
COULDN’T MAKE BAIL, LOST JOBS,
LOST CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN.
JOHN: THERE IS AN EFFORT AT THE
STATE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL TO ADOPT
A NEW STANDARD.
>> AND SOME OF YOUR REAL
CONSERVATIVE GROUPS ARE ON BOARD
WITH SOME FORM OF BAIL REFORM.
 DEPRIVED TARGET OF $206.22.
JOHN: SOMETIMES BOND CAN EXCEED
THE AMOUNT IN THE ACTUAL CRIME
IN THIS INSTANCE, IT WAS OWN
RECOGNIZANCE.
>> THANK YOU MA’AM, GOD BLESS
YOU.
JOHN: JUST HOW MANY MISDEMEANOR
SUSPECTS VERSUS FELONY SUSPECTS
ARE HELD HERE AT A FREQUENTLY
OVERCROWDED FACILITY IS NOT
KNOWN.
WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT THERE’S
ENOUGH SUPPORT ON COUNCIL TO
APPROVE THIS NEW LAW, PROBABLY
THIS M
