The cash bail system is unfair to low-income people who can’t afford to pay, forcing them to stay in jail before trial. Colorado is changing this by moving away from money-based bail. But does this mean bail bonds are no longer needed? This article looks at why bail bond agencies are still important and how they’re adapting to changes in the system.
The Role of Bail Bond Agencies
Bail bond agencies help people get out of jail before their trial by covering the bail cost. This way, people who can’t afford bail don’t have to stay in jail for a long time. They can go home, keep their job, and get ready for their court case.
The Pre-Reform System in Colorado
Cash Bail Was the Standard Practice
For a long time, people who were waiting for their trial would typically have to pay a certain amount of money, called bail, to be released from jail. A judge would decide how much bail was needed based on the charges against them, their record, and how likely they were to cause problems. If they couldn’t afford to pay, they would have to stay in jail until their trial.
Bail Affordability Issue
People with more money could afford to post bail, but those with less often couldn’t, which meant they had to stay in jail before their trial. When people can’t afford bail, they might feel forced to plead guilty just to get out of jail, even if they’re innocent. This can lead to unjust outcomes, as the pressure to get out of jail can be stronger than the desire to prove their innocence.
Preset Bail Amounts
Bail amounts were often decided beforehand based on bail schedules, without considering the person’s situation or how likely they were to show up for their trial. This meant that the same bail amount would be set for everyone with the same charge, regardless of their circumstances.
Public Safety and Fairness Issue
The old bail system was more about who had the money to pay, rather than who was actually a threat to others or might try to run. People who couldn’t afford bail would end up stuck in jail, even if they weren’t a danger to anyone.
Colorado’s Bail Reform Initiatives
Here are the highlights of Colorado’s bail reform initiatives:
Reducing the Need for Cash Bail
In 2013, the Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 13-1236, which encouraged counties to start programs to help decide whether someone should be released from jail before their trial. The goal was to reduce the need for cash bail and make decisions based on how likely someone is to show up to court or commit another crime.
Making Bail Fairer for Everyone
In 2016, Colorado lawmakers adopted HB16-1104, which lets police give summonses (like a ticket) instead of arresting people for some non-violent crimes, which helps keep people out of jail unnecessarily before their trial.
With HB16-1309, they also made sure that people who can’t afford bail and are charged with a crime in municipal court can get a lawyer.
The next year, they ratified SB17-178, which says courts can’t make medical marijuana patients stop using their medicine as a condition of being released from jail before their trial.
No More Cash Bail for Low-Level Offenses
Back in 2019, Colorado passed HB 19-1225, a law that put an end to cash bail for minor offenses like petty crimes, traffic violations, and similar municipal infractions.
No More Cash Bail for First-Degree Murder
Under the 2024 Colorado Amendment I, judges can refuse bail for people accused of first-degree murder if there’s enough evidence to make it likely they’ll be found guilty.
The Ongoing Relevance of Bail Bond Agencies
Even with changes to the bail system, bail bond agencies are still important in a few key ways:
Access to Release
Bail reform usually applies to smaller crimes. For moderate and serious charges, courts often still require a cash bail or a surety bond. Bail bonds Colorado helps people in these situations by paying the bail, so they don’t have to stay long in jail before their trial and can continue with their lives and work.
Support for Families in Crisis
When someone gets arrested, bail bonds Colorado can be a big help to their family. They can get the person out of jail faster by paying the bail right away. These agencies are available 24/7 and know the ins and outs of the bail system, which can be a huge relief to families going through a tough time.
Support for Legal Defense
Bail bonds near me support legal defense. Getting out of jail while waiting for trial can be a big advantage. It gives the defendant, their lawyer, and family time to get ready for court, which can lead to better results and less stress.
Accountability and Monitoring
Bail bond agencies do more than just pay bail – they also help make sure the defendant shows up to court. Bail bonds near me look at how likely someone is to skip town and might require something of value or a co-signer to secure the bond. They’ll also keep an eye on the defendant, sending reminders and checking in, and even track them down if they try to skip out on their court date.
Offering Complementary Service
Public services that help people before their trial can get overwhelmed and run out of money. That’s where a bondsman near me comes in – they offer help without using taxpayer money. They keep an eye on defendants and make sure they don’t have to stay in jail before their trial, which can save the government a lot of money.
Plus, bail reform doesn’t cover every case, so some people still have to deal with high bail or don’t qualify for alternative release programs. That’s when a bondsman near me can really help – they step in and provide a way for these defendants to get out of jail before their trial.
Final Thoughts
Colorado is one of the states that changed its bail rules to make the system more fair. The goal is to reduce the need for cash bail, especially for smaller crimes. Now, people accused of minor offenses or even first-degree murder don’t always need to pay bail to get out of jail.
But this change didn’t get rid of bail bond agencies. They’re still around because the new rules don’t apply to every case. They help people get out of jail before trial and also keep an eye on them to make sure they show up to court.
