On last week’s “Up Close Show,” Gary Daigneault had a conversation with Thomas Sone, the Public Defender for San Bernardino County. Sone discussed recent legislation that was enacted to end cash bail for offenders, saying,
“Let’s say that two individuals and both of them are charged with murder. One individual has money, and the other one does not. One individual can post a million dollars bail, is he any less safer out in the community than the other?”
Sone says that whether or not a person remains in jail after an arrest should be dependent on factors other than wealth. Sone says that the elimination of cash bail is a work in progress, and bail is still used by judges in certain cases, but that his office is working to remove bail as a factor in appropriate criminal cases.
When asked why eliminating bail is important in the criminal justice system, Sone said “To solve an inequity. Those who are incarcerated and fighting a charge are going to be more inclined to take a plea deal to get released. Regardless of whether or not they believe they are innocent or guilty, they are going to do what they can to get out.”
You can contact Thomas Sone and the County Public Defender’s office anytime at 909-382-3950
