Top New York judge calls bail system unfair to poor

[The Straight Story]

New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman has urged lawmakers to overhaul the state's bail laws, saying the current system was unfair to indigent defendants charged with low-level crimes.

During his annual State of the Judiciary speech, Lippman called for legislation that would authorize judges to consider public safety when deciding whether a defendant should be released or held on bail and create a statutory presumption that a person charged with a non-violent crime would be released, unless a prosecutor could show that the person was a flight risk or threat to public safety.

New York is one of only four states to prohibit judges from using public safety as a factor when making a bail determination, Lippman said On Tuesday.

Currently, he said, many non-violent defendants who do not pose a threat to the public languish in jail because they cannot afford bail.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/06/us-newyork-bail-idUSBRE9150JU20130206

[tech3149]

1. Gee! I'm so surprised!

Anyone who recites that line from the pledge of allegiance "with liberty and justice for all" without choking on the words is living in a fantasy world or never had to deal with the "justice" system.

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. But be properly obeisant, or the judge will double that bail.

[badtoworse]

3. Translation: Don't act like a jerk