Nearly 42% of those released on $0 Bail have been rearrested at least once
As a result of Yolo County Superior Court’s continued use of $0 bail, over 831 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 Although rescinded in June of 2020, the Yolo County Superior Court continues to use the Emergency Bail Schedule. The court recently indicated an intention to end the use of the Emergency Bail Schedule.
Since April 13, 2020, individuals released on $0 bail have committed over 831 new crimes. Those new crimes include 350 felonies and 481 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 (21 new victims), Robbery (12 new victims), Burglary (48 new victims), felony domestic violence (13 new victims), possession of an assault weapon, gang crimes, and dozens of other new felony and misdemeanor crimes. Since the COVID 19 pandemic began, 522 individuals have been released a total 680 times on $0 bail. Of those released on $0 bail, 41.8% have been rearrested 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.
Recently, the Yolo County Superior Court indicated it plans to stop its use of the Emergency Bail Schedule and issue a new 2021 Felony and Misdemeanor Bail Schedule. As proposed, the Court’s bail schedule will significantly reduce bail amounts to fractions of amounts previously set.
For example, bail amounts for the crimes possession of child pornography, felony driving under the influence, stalking and dissuading a witness will be reduced from $50,000 to $5,000.
Domestic violence and elder abuse may be reduced from $50,000 to $15,000 while a number of forcible sex crimes and child molestation crimes could be reduced from either $250,000 or $100,000 to $50,000. Typically, to post bail an individual need only to produce 10% of the bail amount up front.
The continued use of the Emergency Bail Schedule and the creation of annual bail schedules are determined by the Yolo County Superior Court. Anyone with concerns about the ongoing use of the Emergency Bail Schedule or the Proposed bail schedule should contact the Yolo County Superior Court.
###
