It’s not like that anymore, at least in places like Seattle. Everyone gets bail, even if they skipped bail a few times already and have outstanding bench warrants. And of course, people in those situations aren’t rich people, but mostly the unhoused. The northwest bail fund in particular helps out even on minor bail that are handed down (which aren’t denied even if they’ve skipped bail on a few charges already).
How is skipping bail not an automatic jailable offense?
Anyway I looked up Washington law and it seems the problem is that everyone has a right to bail, even those who are a great risk to public safety. Judges should have some discretion here.
Cash bail is a horrible, unjust system, but some of the replacements that have popped up are no good either, especially because they make people think that cash bail is the solution and you end up with society regressing.
It appears judges hands are tied by Washington law. Only individuals accused of capital offenses can be denied bail. I agree, this is lunacy.
Yes, what California has done is you cannot set bail at an amount someone cannot post, but judges can deny bail for those deemed a public safety threat or those who have skipped bail. Individuals are assessed based on “risk to the community” and whether they get bail is based on that. Seems reasonable to me.
Bail has become a bit of a joke here.