updated story
http://www.ketknbc.com/news/debate-brewing-over-jail-bonds
What’s important to note is that I have granted very few requests for PR bonds out of more than 600 inmates I have seen in the last few months… very few fall into the categories mentioned by the bondsmen in the story. (More on that later.)
I think they specifically mentioned drug cases, burglaries, and felonies where the defendant is actually going to do time in the penitentiary. Well, that’s just crazy! I have experience as a former prosecutor and a lawyer for many years in the criminal justice system. I can usually look at a case and know if there is a likelihood that the defendant will go to prison in the event they are found guilty, and I haven’t granted PR bonds in those types of cases. You know, I live here with my wife and three kids, and one of the factors judges are legally bound to consider in setting bonds is the safety of the community. Although I don’t I have a crystal ball, I would never grant a PR bond to a person when I believe there was a concern over public safety.
The reasons for allowing a PR bond can vary. In some instances mental health issues or other medical issues need to be handled outside the jail facility, so the taxpayers won’t foot the bill. In other cases, the merits of the case warrant (and sometimes dictate) a PR bond. Today, a police officer mistakenly charged an inmate with two offenses, one is considered to be, in legal terms, a lesser included offense. The best remedy was for me to grant a PR bond on the lesser charge, but his bond is set at $50,000 on the higher charge.
It’s important to get the whole story.
Bill Bobbitt, the owner of Strike Three Bail Bonds, apparently believes I am trying to get even with him for failing to support the jail bond election. I don’t operate that way. But I think it is important to note that Mr. Bobbitt’s reason for not supporting the election wasn’t based on the merits of the proposal. He told me he was concerned that the entrance to the jail wouldn’t be right across the street from his office!!! I can’t base my decisions on how they affect just one citizen.
Okay, so here are the facts: Out of 600 plus inmates I have seen recently, I granted PR bonds on 5 alleged misdemeanor drug offenders, 2 alleged nonviolent felonies (where I believe the defendant, if found guilty, will receive probation), and on 1 alleged Class C misdemeanor (same level as a traffic ticket) drug paraphernalia charge. No alleged burglars, no previously convicted felons.
If the bondsman mentioned in the story are having a rough time financially (like a lot of other businesses in the nation), maybe we should contact our United States congressmen to get them a bailout package too!!!
