July 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

LA Courts to Permit Release of Nonviolent Arrestees Without Paid Bail Starting October 1st

Presiding Judge Jessner’s Decision Aims to Ensure Equal Access to Release 

By Keemia Zhang

On Wednesday, Presiding Judge Samantha P. Jessner announced that people arrested in Los Angeles County for non-violent or non-serious felonies and misdemeanors, per new bail schedules that she approved, could be released prior to arraignment, as reported by ABC7. 

“A person’s ability to pay a large sum of money should not be the determining factor in deciding whether that person, who is presumed innocent, stays in jail before trial or is released,” stated Jessner. 

The new rule is slated to come into effect in Los Angeles County starting October 1st. A preliminary injunction for the rule has been in place since May, preventing the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department from posting cash bail – but not other law enforcement agencies in the area, such as the police departments of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.

The new bail schedules will be implemented across Los Angeles County, removing the requirement for posted money bail for those accused of minor and non-violent offenses. In the place of traditional bail, Jessner explained that “the protocols focus on an individual arrestee’s risk to public and victim safety and the arrestee’s likelihood of returning to court.”

Cite-and-release and book-and-release procedures are set to make up the protocol, specifically involving theft, vehicular code violations, and vandalism. More serious charges, including firearm possession and sexual battery, are set to be reviewed by a magistrate on a case-by-case basis. Capital offenses such as murders with special circumstances and other felonies that are spelled out in the state’s constitution are charges that would not be eligible for this kind of release before arraignment. 

Judge Jessner argued that “A low-risk arrestee should not be held in jail simply because they cannot post the necessary funds to be released pending arraignment” and assured the public that the new protocol aims to both reduce failures to appear in court and to ensure “equal access to release to all arrestees in the county based on one’s wealth rather than one’s risk.”

According to Jessner, the Court believes this new bail schedule will  “increase community safety.”

in News
<>Related Posts

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...