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The criminal justice system holds no punches in terms of bail and sentencing for violent offenses, and most times, nonviolent offenses get hit with harsh penalties as well. However, that is set to change in Chicago as judges in Cook County will be required to set affordable bail and bond amounts for nonviolent offenders who do not pose any threat to the general public.
The new policy will find defendants being interviewed about their current financial state before a bond hearing on their case. The information given will be passed along to judges who are legally required to set a bond that a defendant “has the present ability to pay.” The policy is set to be in effect starting September 18, 2017, and will bar judges from setting a higher bond that felony defendants can financially afford. In January 2018, the policy will be in effect for misdemeanor cases as well.
Article Appeared @http://www.vladtv.com/article/230559/chicago-judge-rules-nonviolent-criminals-must-be-given-affordable-bails