Like so many other states, Connecticut’s criminal justice system has been subject to ongoing reforms for nearly a decade. The proposed changes primarily concern the pretrial justice, but also the role of bail and bond in the judicial landscape. In general, the aim of these reform efforts is to make the justice system more equitable, particularly for low-income individuals and those facing misdemeanor charges.
In Part 1 of this guide, we’ll be exploring the developments that took place from 2017 to 2019, and paved the way for the 2023 – 2025 changes, analysing how they impacted bail bonding services in Bridgeport, CT and the rest of the state, as well as their implications for individuals, the legal system, and potentially public safety.
The 2017-2019 Changes
The Connecticut justice system saw several changes in 2017. Although they were by no means “radical” or “major”, they are significant as precursors to reforms that came later.
What is Connecticut Public Act 17-145?
The center point of CT Public Act 17-145 is the reduction of the maximum time a person can be held in jail pretrial on misdemeanor charges – from 30 to 14 days. In addition, the 17-145 ended cash-only bail for most misdemeanor offenses (under certain conditions).
While specific offenses are not enumerated in the act, it broadly applies to non-violent misdemeanors, such as simple trespass, driving without a license, disorderly conduct, petty theft (shoplifting), and similar offenses.
The impact of the PA 17-145 resonated quite strongly with everyone it pertains to, for many reasons, including:
- Reducing unnecessary pretrial incarceration, especially for low-income defendants who cannot afford to post bail;
- Protecting due process rights by ensuring that the defendant can access the court system much faster;
- Preventing major life disruptions resulting from the extended absence, such as job or housing loss, or family instability (including loss of custody rights);
- Supporting more equitable outcomes overall, simply by not punishing individuals before they are actually convicted.
- Reducing jail overcrowding and associated costs that come out of taxpayers’ money.
The 2017 Legislation on Bail Reform & the 2019 Judicial Rule Change
While it lacks the “official name”, the 2017 Legislation introduced a welcome relief for low-income defendants by allowing them to post 10% of the total bail amount in cash for bonds set at $20,000 or less.
The problem was that this option initially required the judge’s approval, which is why it was commonly given a wide berth. In other words, it was virtually inapplicable, thus defeating its purpose.
Fortunately, in 2019, the Connecticut Superior Court’s Rules Committee amended this “oversight”, eliminating the need for judicial approval and making the 10% option automatically available for bonds of $20,000 or less.
In combination, the 2017 and 2019 reforms managed to ease the financial challenges that low-income defendants were facing on a regular basis, thereby enhancing the fairness of the pretrial system as a whole.
Who provides reliable bail bonding services near me in Bridgeport, CT & the vicinity?
Looking for a reliable local bondsman in your city? BailCo is the preferred choice in Bridgeport and across Fairfield County due to our prompt reaction times, affordable rates, and hassle-free client support. We understand that arrests can happen at any time and when you least expect it, which is why we’re always ready to react quickly and professionally. Whether it’s day or night, weekend or holiday, our knowledgeable and experienced agents are available 24/7/365 to guide you through the bail process and ensure swift release. Reach out to us today and get the help you need when you need it the most!