The Glendale Police Department announced on Wednesday that a new set of bail schedules for suspects arrested in non-violent felonies and misdemeanor crimes will take effect in L.A. County on Oct. 1.
The new bail schedule, approved by the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in July, will dictate one of three possible actions by law enforcement for an arrestee’s release: cite and release, book and release or magistrate review. Capital offenses such as murder with special circumstances and limited felonies are not eligible for pre-arraignment, zero-bail release.
The sheriff’s department and all police departments in the county must comply with this protocol.
“In the face of evolving challenges brought on by legislative mandates and the zero-bail schedule, the Glendale Police Department’s dedication to public safety remains resolute,” said Glendale Police Chief Manny Cid in a Sept. 13 announcement on YouTube. “With a proactive policing approach coupled with forward thinking innovation and community partnerships, we are committed to keeping the city of Glendale one of the safest cities in America to live, work and visit.”
The newly approved release protocols will replace the traditional bail schedules. Instead of assigning money bail amount to non-violent felonies and misdemeanors, a majority of arrestees will now be released at the location of the arrest or booked in jail, and then released on their own recognizance with a citation for a future court date, according to a press release from Sgt. Victor Jackson, the public information officer for GPD.
In some cases, suspects arrested for certain crimes which pose an increased risk to the public will be referred to an on-call magistrate, who will have discretion to determine the appropriate release terms and conditions. Some examples of release conditions by a magistrate may include prohibitions against committing crimes, sending text messages to remind the arrestee to appear in court and visits with court staff.
As a result of these new release terms, law enforcement must cite and release or book and release arrestees in nearly all theft offenses, vehicle code violations and crimes against property such as petty theft and vandalism. Offenses involving guns, sexual battery, crimes against children/elders and contact with minors with intent to commit a sexual offense are examples of offenses subject to magistrate review. Magistrates will consider the crime and a risk assessment report to determine whether the arrestee should be released with no conditions or determine the least restrictive, non-financial conditions intended to address whether the arrestee is likely to return to court. All offenses in the MR category are designated as zero-bail offenses.
As an example of this change, a person arrested for false imprisonment under this new protocol would be eligible for BR. Under the previous bail schedule, their bail amount would be $50,000. Likewise, a person arrested for theft of an automobile is eligible for BR, while under the previous bail schedule, their bail amount would be $35,000, according to the press release.
This represents a significant change in protocols for all law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County, said Jackson. The Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association said it remains committed to the safety and security of its communities.
“We will continue to work within the processes set forth by the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, and as a profession, make recommendations for improvement at every opportunity,” the LACPCA said in a statement.
First published in the September 16 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
