Should cash bail be required for public safety offenses in D.C.?
The District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act would amend the law governing the District of Columbia to require mandatory pre-trial detention for persons charged with “dangerous crimes,” and mandatory post-conviction detention in some cases. Also, it would require cash bail instead of an unsecured release pending trial for offenses deemed threats to public safety or order.
Sponsor: Rep. Elise Stefanik (Republican, New York, District 21)
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Opponents say
• "The bill would amend District of Columbia (D.C.) law to require, in the case of certain crimes, pretrial detention based solely on a charge and financial conditions on pretrial release. … Neither law requires pretrial detention based solely on a charge nor financial conditions on pretrial release. Instead, under both laws, pretrial release and detention decisions are based on an assessment by a judge of a defendant’s risk of flight and dangerousness." Source: Minority Views, Committee Democrats
• "The D.C. Council is and should be the local legislative body for our community. Federal attempts to reimpose cash bail in DC could lead to more families facing housing and job insecurity, greater rates of recidivism, more trauma for people detained in the already dangerous and overcrowded DC Jail, and less funding for District schools, mental health support facilities, and other critical needs." Source: Ariel Levinson-Waldman, Tzedek DC
Proponents say
• "Under Kathy Hochul’s failed leadership, cashless bail policies in New York pose a clear and present danger to the Nation and must be terminated. Today, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and I are working alongside President Trump to end the cashless bail disaster. We can’t allow arrested individuals who are awaiting trial to be released back onto the streets to commit more crimes against their communities." Source: Elise Stefanik (Republican, New York)
• "For far too long, dangerous criminals have been allowed to roam the streets of D.C., posing a threat to the general public. Before this bill, progressive judges could release criminals to D.C.’s streets with only a promise that they will not re-offend and will return to court for their trial date. This is a smart and long overdue reform that rectifies the ill-conceived policies currently enacted in the District." Source: Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer
