NetQuarterLatte t1_jcbrd4o wrote
Reply to comment by matzoh_ball in Study shows those released under NY's bail reform laws are less likely to get rearrested by mowotlarx
>it shows that a lot of critics have completely overblown the negative impacts of bail reform.
That difference is actually central to the criticism.
Because almost everyone cares about "how many crimes are being committed" a lot more than "how many criminals are out there".
matzoh_ball t1_jcbtc9t wrote
Copying my reply to another person here:
If they commit crime after crime then they'd eventually be convicted and put in jail or prison. If they aren't convicted or only given super light sentences, then that has nothing to do with bail reform. Also, most people who *are* detained pretrial are only in jail for a few days since they generally make bail pretty quickly, meaning that they could reoffend almost immediately even if the judge sets bail. So the idea that the lack of pretrial detention creates all these repeat offenders is bogus.
NetQuarterLatte t1_jcd5vfp wrote
>If they commit crime after crime then they'd eventually be convicted
Not if they never show up to trial.
>and put in jail
That depends on the crime.
For example, if someone keeps playing the knock out game and never seriously injury anyone, that will be a misdemeanor assault at best, and that person can avoid jail forever.
>So the idea that the lack of pretrial detention creates all these repeat offenders is bogus.
I don't think any law creates repeat offenders. That's not my position.
However, the law should be able to stop repeat offenders.
And there are clear loopholes right now.
matzoh_ball t1_jcdhr8b wrote
If you don’t show up for court - especially repeatedly - there’ll be an arrest warrant and you’ll be locked up.
I agree with you that the law can and should be improved. That said, the harm-harm guideline that was introduced with the bail amendments in July 2020 addresses a large swath of the “repeat offenders” who people are rightly concerned about.
NetQuarterLatte t1_jcdtr6y wrote
Arrest warrants don’t do much though. At least in NYC.
Yuna Lee’s killer was arrested for a misdemeanor, and even though he had an arrest warrant another crime, he was still released (and committed that murder shortly after).
matzoh_ball t1_jcdwfzl wrote
There’s always exceptions but the vast majority of people who repeatedly miss court appearances have an arrest warrant issued and are eventually arrested. The fact that it was a big deal that Yuna Lee’s murderer had not been arrested is precisely part of the reason it was such a big deal.
NetQuarterLatte t1_jcdy50v wrote
He was arrested though.
I think the problem with an arrest warrant is that it’s only to bring him in front of a judge.
If the court can’t hold a trial right then and there, then they have to release him if it’s a misdemeanor.
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