Gov. Polis signs bill adding new judges statewide
"The bill, partially introduced by Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, prevents judges from imposing cash bonds on defendants for minor traffic or petty offenses, thus keeping them out of overcrowded jails because of an inability to pay." "Every night, thousands of Coloradans awaiting trial for minor offenses languish in jail simply because they can't afford to get out," said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, who introduced the bill with Soper. "We are caging the poor and the homeless, not
Colorado bill would eliminate cash bail for minor offenses
"Sponsors of the bill, including Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver) and Rep. Matt Soper (R-Delta), argue thousands of Coloradans await trial in jail for minor offenses simply because they can't afford bail - essentially punishing people for being in poverty." “Every night, thousands of Coloradans awaiting trial for minor offenses languish in jail simply because they can't afford to get out," Rep. Herod said. "We are caging the poor and the homeless, not for their crimes, but for th
Criminal justice reform bill would eliminate cash bail for petty offenses
"House Bill 1225 eliminates the option for judges to impose cash bonds for criminal defendants accused of crimes below that of a misdemeanor. It would also apply to traffic violations as long as no one was killed or injured, and the defendant was not suspected of eluding a police officer or tampering with an interlock device." “Criminal justice is an issue that is not partisan, justice is not partisan,” said bill co-sponsor Rep. Leslie Herod, (D) Denver. “We are able to work
Colorado Lawmakers Want To Halt Required Bond Payments For Petty Crimes
"Some lawmakers say people are being jailed for minor crimes in Colorado simply because they don’t have enough money to pay for the bond. A bill introduced this week in the state legislature would bar that the courts from requiring that people pay bonds in cases of petty crimes and traffic offenses." "Rep. Matt Soper, a Republican who represents Delta, and Rep. Leslie Herod, a Democrat who represents Denver, are the authors of the bill. They say thousands of poor people are b
Colorado lawmakers consider banning cash bail for petty crimes, joining national reform movement
"The bill would ban judges from setting money bail for those charged with traffic offenses and municipal charges. The bill would not apply to defendants charged with traffic offenses that involve death or bodily injury or eluding a police officer or municipal offenses that are similar to misdemeanor charges." "Defendants pay bail to the court — either themselves or through a bondsman — as collateral that they will return for their next hearing. That money is returned if the d
Anti-Poverty Advocates Push Bill To Force Judges To Ditch Cash Bail For Petty Crimes
"House Bill 19-1225 has bipartisan sponsorship. The measure gets its first hearing in the state House on Thursday, where the judiciary committee is expected to vote." "It is unacceptable to punish those who have the presumption of innocence simply because they’re poor,” said state Rep. Leslie Herod, of Denver, who is sponsoring the measure. "Poverty is not a crime." "Backers also argue the proposal is a way to safely decrease jail overcrowding and save counties money. It can
Bill Would End Bail Requirement for Some Low-Level Offenses
"House Bill 1225, which will be debated today, March 14, in the House Judiciary Committee, would end the monetary bail requirement for certain low-level offenses in Colorado. The bill has bipartisan support, with Representative Matt Soper, a Republican, and Representative Leslie Herod, a Democrat, as co-sponsors." "Herod believes the measure will help create a fairer criminal justice system, regardless of the arrested individual's socioeconomic status. "Each year, thousands
