Over 40% of those released on $0 Bail have reoffended at least once
(Woodland, CA) – February 8, 2021 –As a result of Yolo County Superior Court’s continued use of $0 bail, over 628 new crimes have been committed. In April of 2020, the California Judicial Council imposed the “$0” Emergency Bail Schedule in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although rescinded in June of 2020, the Yolo County Superior Court continues to use the Emergency Bail Schedule. Court officials indicated the Emergency Bail Schedule will remain in effect until the pandemic ends.
Since April 13, 2020, 464 individuals have been arrested and released on $0 bail a total of 583 times, with some benefitting on multiple occasions. The individuals who have reoffended since their release on $0 bail in Yolo County have committed over 628 new crimes in Yolo County alone. Those new crimes include 256 felonies and 372 misdemeanors, including crimes such as Attempted Murder (2 new victims), Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Assault by Means of Force Likely to Product Great Bodily Injury (18 new victims), Robbery (10 new victims), Burglary (39 new victims), felony domestic violence (12 new victims), possession of an assault weapon, gang crimes, and dozens of other new felony and misdemeanor crimes. Of those released on $0 bail, 40.5% have reoffended at least one time, the highest percentage thus far during the $0 bail period.
The Emergency Bail Schedule simply looks at the arresting offense and releases individuals on $0 bail, even those on probation or parole, without conducting a risk assessment for dangerousness. Additionally, upon release on $0 bail, offenders are given a court date 4-5 months in the future. This makes it nearly impossible to assess those individuals who are homeless, suffer from a substance use disorder, or from a serious mental illness in order to enroll them into one of the county’s diversion programs such as mental health court or addiction intervention court.
The continued use of the Emergency Bail Schedule is determined by the Yolo County Superior Court and is solely within their discretion. Anyone with concerns about the ongoing use of the Emergency Bail Scheduled should contact the Yolo County Superior Court.
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