FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—March 26, 2021
Contact: Scott Alonso, 925-957-8638 cell
[email protected]
District Attorney Becton Issues Statement on California Supreme Court Decision Regarding the Humphrey Case
Martinez, Calif. – Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton issues a statement regarding yesterday’s California Supreme Court decision to regarding the Humphrey case concerning the cash bail system in California:
"Yesterday’s unanimous decision by the Supreme Court is crucial for reforming the broken cash bail system in California. The growing number of defendants remaining behind bars simply because they cannot pay bail is unacceptable. No person should be forced to remain in pretrial custody simply because they cannot afford bail. Poor defendants are forced to remain behind bars awaiting their trial date. There are numerous options for pre-trial release conditions, including treatment programs, electronic home detention and counseling. We must continue to have judges consider the safety of the community and the victim’s rights during a bail hearing and review if an individual can afford the bail amount."
The opinion is In re Humphrey. The full decision is available here.
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