Yolo County commentary: Zero bail makes zero sense for public safety

During the pandemic, CA established zero dollar bail for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies, citing the health risks of overcrowded jails. Though recently dropped by SCC, zero bail still finds champions in locals who claim socioeconomic equity (while denying safety consequences). Mike Luery’s KRCA article explains how two inimical CA’n felons were empowered to “continue on their criminal path”—to grand theft, sexual battery, and gun charges—due to lack of bail. To receive daily updates of new Opp Now stories, click here.

The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple felonies on Monday against 23-year-old Kenneth Smit.

He was arrested for auto theft on May 14 and then released under following new guidelines set up by the Judicial Council of California. The guideline, which went into effect April 13, ends cash bail for most misdemeanor and lower-level felonies during the COVID-19 outbreak as a way to mitigate the spread of the virus in county jails.

However, the DA's office said there are multiple examples of inmates being set free in a game of catch and release.

Dwayne Durant is in the Yolo County jail for the third time in less than a month. He’s now charged with burglary, grand theft and looting after he was released on $0 bail nine days ago, which was after his first arrest on April 24.

“This is not a risk-free situation,” said Melinda Aiello, assistant chief deputy district attorney for Yolo County.

This article originally appeared in KRCA. Read the whole thing here.

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Image by Marco Verch on Flickr