Posted on 07/01/2004 6:25:49 PM PDT by neverdem
The cost of being arrested with a gun in San Francisco is about to go up -- big time.
Starting Thursday, Superior Court judges -- with a nudge from the district attorney's office -- will be doubling, tripling and even quadrupling bail for people arrested for weapons-related felonies.
The bail for assault with a firearm, for instance, will jump from $35,000 to $75,000 -- far surpassing the $50,000 bail for the same crime in Marin, Contra Costa and San Mateo counties.
Get arrested for possessing or selling a machine gun in San Francisco and bail will rocket from $25,000 to $100,000 -- putting the usually lenient city on par with Alameda County.
And bail for selling or possessing assault weapons -- which are turning up more and more often in gang-related shootings -- will rise from $20,000 to $75,000. That's still $25,000 less than Contra Costa County.
Deputy Police Chief Greg Suhr said the new bail schedule will make the city at least consistent with surrounding Bay Area counties. "This is a big deal,'' he said.
On the other hand, the last time San Francisco did a major overhaul of bails a few years back, it led to a 20 percent increase in the jail population and severe overcrowding.
So far, officials don't seem worried about that this time -- they're much more concerned about the price war going on between local bail bonders.
The reason? Some of the bonders are offering to finance or even put up most of the 10 percent of the bail fee that clients are required to pay, which makes it a lot easier for suspected bad guys to get out.
One local bail bond operator told us about a recent bond shop-around by the family of a guy being held for attempted murder on $500,000 bail.
"The family said they would put up their house as collateral, and the company said fine -- zero percent down, and we will finance you," our bail rep said.
"So the person walked out of jail for free.''
The official react: "We view this as a crisis in public safety,'' said Chief Assistant District Attorney Russ Giuntini. "It almost makes bail irrelevant.''
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
BANG
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the state get to pocket a hefty portion of posted bail monies, even if the accused shows up for court and has the audacity to be acquitted of all charges?
I don't think so. Bail is forfeited only if you try to flee, IIRC.
I thought most states kept a portion for "administrative expenses".
There are always the "court costs" and other fees.
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