re: Let's talk about bail / bonds

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I agree that PDs have more critical funding needs than DAs..

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we still have a lot of dragging feet among the prosecution.

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There’s plenty of issues and discussion of of said issues in this thread, but to address the main point of bail (in Louisiana):

C.Cr.P Art 316
Factors in fixing amount of bail
The amount of bail shall be fixed in an amount that will ensure the presence of the defendant, as required, and the safety of any other person and the community, having regard to:
(1) The seriousness of the offense charged, including but not limited to whether the offense is a crime of violence or involves a controlled dangerous substance.
(2) The weight of the evidence against the defendant.
(3) The previous criminal record of the defendant.
(4) The ability of the defendant to give bail.
(5) The nature and seriousness of the danger to any other person or the community that would be posed by the defendant's release.
(6) The defendant's voluntary participation in a pretrial drug testing program.
(7) The absence or presence in the defendant of any controlled dangerous substance.
(8) Whether the defendant is currently out on a bail undertaking on a previous felony arrest for which he is awaiting institution of prosecution, arraignment, trial, or sentencing.
(9) Any other circumstances affecting the probability of defendant's appearance.
(10) The type or form of bail.


It’s not solely/ “simply” about “ensuring someone appears for trial” or “innocent until proven guilty”, as there are a multitude of other factors.

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But the whole point of bail / bond is not to lock a criminal up. It is simply to ensure that the accused shows up at trial.

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