Georgia Rolls Back Bail Reform – Sends Bill to Governor
On the heels of New York reinstating bail requirements on a wide range of felony crimes and Florida instituting a statewide bail schedule, Georgia has passed legislation requiring secured bail on 30 new criminal charges. The bill originated in the Senate, passed the House has been sent to the governor for signature. In addition to requiring bail on additional criminal charges, charitable bail organizations, who use donations from the public to post cash bail, will be limited to posting three cash bonds a year. Any organization wishing to post more than three bonds a year must qualify as a professional bondsman and be approved by the local sheriff to open an office. It has been reported charitable bail organizations have posted cash bail for as many as 1500 offenders in…