Wow, I agree with the Express Editorial board on something

October 22, 2007

Bail is supposed to ensure the appearance of a criminal defendant in court at a later date and should not be punitive.

However, there are some cases in which denial of bond is merited and allowed by law.

Proposition 13 would expand the circumstances under which a judge can deny bail to include certain family violence cases.

Specifically, the constitutional amendment would allow judges to deny bond in family violence cases where a protective order has been violated. Violation of a protective order is an all too common practice that often turns deadly.

Go read the rest of the article. Prop 13 would allow judges to deny bail in certain family violence cases and could very well save some lives. It is a double edged sword though because protective orders are being used by some in divorce proceedings when their is no violence involved. I feel you have to expect the judge to weed those out but give them the latitude to hold those people that could escalate.

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