Sen. John Kennedy: Bail, bond decisions are being made today with algorithms – That puts your safety at risk (excerpt from Fox News Aug 5 2019) Even if you’ve never heard of Edward French, his death should terrify you. Two years ago, the 71-year-old photographer was greeting the sunrise with his cameraRead More →
Police, residents upset by signature bonds granted to violent suspects (excerpt from Fox 5 Aug 1 2019) ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) – A man charged with aggravated assault in which he’s accused of attempting to strangle an individual got out of jail on a signature bond. That is one of manyRead More →
Algorithm Using Racist Drug War Data to Determine Missourians’ Freedom (excerpt from Filter – July 29 2019) An algorithm based on data from decades of drug war policing that disproportionately targets Black Missourians will soon, in part, determine whether or not a defendant is jailed before trial. The plan—recently institutedRead More →
They give recommendations that make future violence seem more predictable than it is. (excerpt from The New York Times July 17 2019) Risk assessments are virtually useless for identifying who will commit violence if released pretrial. Consider the pre-eminent risk assessment tool on the market today, the Public Safety Assessment,Read More →
Missouri Supreme Court WORSE Than California Supreme Court!! (excerpt from The California Political Review – July 16 2019) I know this is going to be hard to believe. But, the Missouri Supreme Court makes the California Supreme Court look lazy and conservative. At least when our courts harm the publicRead More →
Bail-setting tool flawed, often ignored in New Orleans, watchdog group finds (excerpt from 4WWL – July 1 2019) “This instrument is flawed. I think it is a gimmick and it needs to be revised,” the Metropolitan Crime Commission president said. NEW ORLEANS — About one-third of suspects booked with violentRead More →
Local sheriffs upset over “catch and release” rules handed down by Missouri Supreme Court (excerpt from KY 3 The Place July 16 2019) GAINESVILLE, Mo. — Violent offenders would have a warrant issued for their arrest, and likely, a high bond set. But some sheriffs say lower level criminals are gettingRead More →
Bondsmen complain about new pre-trial release rules, procedures creating them (excerpt from Missouri News Tribune July 15 2019) Two organizations connected with the bail bonds industry have questioned the Missouri Supreme Court’s new rules regarding pre-trial release and the way those rules were proposed. The rules went into effect JulyRead More →
Crime Watchdog: New Orleans risk assessment program waste of money (Excerpt from Fox 8 Local First – July 1 2019) NEW ORLEANS, La. (WVUE) – The Metropolitan Crime Commission released a report calling the local inmate risk assessment program a waste of money Monday afternoon (July 1). “The Public SafetyRead More →
NY bail reform measure under scrutiny (Excerpt from WTEN 10 News – New York, June 28, 2019) ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – This session, lawmakers approved a series of bail reform measures that included eliminating cash bail. A news release from Speaker Heastie’s office released after the budget passed this sessionRead More →
