In early 2020, the World Health Organization, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the State of California recognized that the world, country, and state faced a life-threatening pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus. At that time, there were more than 40,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 500 deaths in the United States. On March 04, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency. This was followed on March 19, 2020, with an executive order to stay at home.
In an attempt to prevent a Covid-19 outbreak amongst prisoners and jail staff, a statewide Emergency Bail policy was instituted on April 19, 2020. The Emergency Bail Policy set bail $0 (zero dollars) for most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, with exceptions specifically listed. The Emergency Bail was to be in effect for 90 days after the governor declared the state of emergency lifted.
On June 10, 2020, California’s Judicial Council voted to end the statewide Emergency Bail Schedule, however, individual counties were allowed to make their own decision about keeping similar measures in place. Yolo County adopted similar measures and kept them in place until May 31, 2021.
Zero Bail Studies
Zero Bail vs Posted Bail Study Revised – January 19, 2024
Zero Bail vs Posted Bail Study – February 6, 2023
Yolo County Emergency Bail Analysis – August 5, 2022
Zero Bail Press Releases
Zero Bail Case Study – Zero Bail Policies Increased Crime in Every Category – February 14, 2023
70% of Those Released on $0 Bail Commit New Crimes – August 8, 2022
Over 628 New Crimes Committed by Individuals Released on $0 Bail – February 8, 2021
Over 300 New Crimes Committed by Individuals Released on $0 Bail – October 1, 2020
West Sacramento Man on Felony Probation and Arrested 5 Times since August 26, 2020 – September 18, 2020
Four More Individuals Previously Released as a Result of California Judicial Council’s Statewide Emergency “0” Bail Schedule are Arraigned on New Charges – July 22, 2020
Two More Woodland Men Previously Released as a Result of California Judicial Council’s Statewide Emergency “0” Bail Schedule are Charged with New Crimes – June 8, 2020
Two More Individuals Charged with New Felonies After Being Released as a Result of California Judicial Council’s Statewide Emergency “0” Bail Schedule – May 21, 2020
Woodland Man Commits New Felonies After Being Released as a Result of California Judicial Council’s Statewide Emergency “0” Bail Schedule – April 20, 2020
Yolo County Bail Policy
Now, more than ever, the policies of a District Attorneys’ office provide the framework for navigating the path of justice considering the simultaneous, and sometimes competing, interests of public safety, accountability, vindication of victims’ rights, the rights of a defendant to due process and fair consideration and our duty to all citizens, including both defendants and victims and their families. These policies are a guide to accomplishing the goal of justice. This office hereby incorporates the substance of the California District Attorneys’ Association 2016 publication “Professionalism” as if fully set forth herein.
Bail Policy
