{"id":2173087,"date":"2024-02-10T11:59:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-10T16:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aclu-threatens-to-sue-georgia-over-cash-bail-bill\/"},"modified":"2024-02-10T12:03:31","modified_gmt":"2024-02-10T17:03:31","slug":"aclu-threatens-to-sue-georgia-over-cash-bail-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aclu-threatens-to-sue-georgia-over-cash-bail-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"ACLU warns of lawsuit against Georgia over cash bail bill"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Faclu-threatens-to-sue-georgia-over-cash-bail-bill%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2173087&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>The ACLU of\u2064 Georgia \u200bThreatens to Sue Over Controversial Bail Bill<\/h2>\n<p>In a press release issued on Thursday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia made it clear that they would take legal\u200c action if Governor Brian Kemp didn&#8217;t veto a bill that expands the number of crimes requiring cash bail. The organization argues that this legislation would not \u200bonly endanger the community\u2062 but also disproportionately affect \u200dblack individuals.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;[This bill] will dramatically increase the number of Georgians \u2064languishing in our jails\u200c and make our communities\u2064 less safe,&#8221; stated the organization. &#8220;Already, 51% of the people in Georgia&#8217;s jails are black, while just 30% of the state&#8217;s overall population is black.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The contested\u200d legislation, \u200bSenate Bill 63, broadens\u200c the definition of bail-restricted offenses \u2064to include 30 \u200bnew\u200b crimes,\u2063 such as fleeing from\u200c police,\u2064 identity fraud,\u200c domestic \u200cterrorism, \u2063and\u200b rioting.<\/p>\n<p>ACLU of \u2063Georgia&#8217;s legal director, Cory Isaacson, argues that the bill violates the Constitution by \u200bcriminalizing poverty and restricting First Amendment rights.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\ud83d\udea8 Georgia Senate Bill 63, which forces people \u2064who can&#8217;t\u2062 afford to pay bail to \u2064languish\u200d in \u2064jail, is unlawful and the ACLU of Georgia will sue if the governor signs it into law. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/gKXWUoWHUf\">https:\/\/t.co\/gKXWUoWHUf<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KlTcmQ8PPB\">pic.twitter.com\/KlTcmQ8PPB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 ACLU of \u200bGeorgia \u2063(@ACLUofGA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ACLUofGA\/status\/1755599035891855682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 8, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Lt. Governor Burt Jones, on\u2062 the other hand, \u2062praised the \u2064bill&#8217;s passage, \u200dclaiming \u200dthat\u200d it would remove\u200c violent, repeat offenders from the streets.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Senate Bill \u206363 protects Georgia families by \u200bkeeping violent and repeat offenders off our streets. I appreciate the House adopting the \u200bconference committee report\u200c on \u2063this legislation. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/gapol?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#gapol<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7FqZzvgZF2\">https:\/\/t.co\/7FqZzvgZF2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Lt. Governor Burt Jones (@LtGovJonesGA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LtGovJonesGA\/status\/1755224371700834571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 7,\u2064 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>As of now, Governor Kemp\u200b has not commented on the bill&#8217;s passage.<\/p>\n<p>State Sen. Randy Robertson, the bill&#8217;s sponsor, argued during\u2062 a Senate Public Safety\u200c Committee hearing that the rise in\u2064 crime necessitated the expansion of \u2064cash \u200bbail. He emphasized \u200dthat being indigent does not excuse anyone from committing a crime.<\/p>\n<p>Atlanta Police Chief Darin \u200dSchierbaum testified that his officers dealt with nearly 900\u2062 repeat offenders in 2022, with\u200c over\u2062 6,000 prior\u200d felony arrests among them. A \u200bsignificant\u2064 number \u2063of these repeat offenders were carrying firearms, despite being prohibited \u200bby state law, and a \u2062considerable portion \u200bwere gang \u200cmembers.<\/p>\n<p>In response to criticisms that the\u200b bill included &#8220;minor&#8221; offenses, Robertson explained that these crimes were often linked\u2063 to \u200cmore serious\u2062 offenses, such \u2064as domestic terrorism and rioting. He\u200b also\u200b noted that \u200bjudges have the discretion to \u200dset low bonds based\u2064 on the circumstances of each case.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the bill restricts \u200bunlimited bail\u200b posting to bail bond companies, limiting others,\u200b including charitable bail funds and individuals, to\u200d posting bail for three\u200c or\u2064 fewer individuals annually. It also prohibits the release \u2062without\u200b bond of individuals charged with bail-restricted offenses or \u2064those with prior felony arrests within the\u2064 past seven years.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, the bill \u2062doubles the annual fee\u2062 for continuing education programs for\u2062 bail recovery agents.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> Why do critics argue that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zero-bail-program-takes-effect-in-los-angeles-county-ending-traditional-cash-system\/\" title=\"Zero Bail Program implemented in LA County, replacing cash bail system.\">cash bail disproportionately affects low-income individuals<\/a>\u2063 and perpetuates racial\u200d and socioeconomic \u200cinequalities within the criminal\u2062 justice system?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  G=&#8221;en&#8221;>\ud83d\udce2Breaking: Georgia Senate\u2063 passes SB \u200b63! Removing\u2063 violent, repeat offenders from our streets! This common-sense legislation ensures the safety of Georgians\u200b by expanding the number of crimes requiring \u2062cash bail. Thank you to everyone \u200bwho supported this\u200d bill! \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Lt. Governor Burt Jones (@LtGovBurtJones)\u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LtGovBurtJones\/status\/1755600309623794707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 8, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The controversial bill&#8217;s\u2062 supporters argue that it aims \u200bto <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/terry-mcauliffe-ripped-for-tweet-saying-it-should-be-easier-to-vote-than-buy-a-gun\/\" title=\"Terry McAuliffe Ripped For Tweet Saying It Should Be Easier To Vote Than Buy A Gun\">prioritize public safety<\/a> and reduce crime rates. However, critics claim that cash bail disproportionately affects low-income individuals and \u2064people of color,\u200d perpetuating racial and socioeconomic inequalities within the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n<p>The ACLU of Georgia, along \u200dwith other civil rights \u2064organizations, has long been advocating for \u200bbail \u2062reform.\u200b They\u200c argue that cash bail often results in pretrial detention for individuals \u2063who are unable to afford \u200dit, \u200drather than being based on the risk of flight or danger to the community.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Cash\u200b bail punishes poverty,\u2064 not guilt,&#8221;\u2064 said Andrea Young, the executive \u200bdirector \u2062of the ACLU of Georgia.\u2063 &#8220;It creates\u2064 a two-tiered system where \u200dthose with money can secure their freedom\u200c while poor\u2063 individuals languish \u2063in jail, often losing their jobs, homes,\u2063 and even custody\u200c of their\u200d children.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The ACLU of Georgia believes that the bill&#8217;s expansion of bail-restricted offenses will contribute to jail overcrowding, increase racial disparities\u200b within the criminal justice system, and infringe upon individuals&#8217; constitutional rights. The organization issued the threat to sue Governor Kemp if the\u2062 bill is signed into law.<\/p>\n<p>Efforts to reform\u200b the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/desantis-unveils-billboards-in-democrat-state-seeking-to-recruit-law-enforcement-officers-to-florida\/\" title=\"DeSantis launches billboards in blue state to attract cops to Florida.\">cash bail\u2064 system<\/a> \u200bhave gained widespread attention in recent\u200b years. Critics argue that the system perpetuates inequality \u200band economic discrimination,\u2063 as wealthier defendants can easily secure their release\u2062 while less fortunate individuals are forced\u2062 to stay in jail until their court date.\u200c They point\u2064 out\u200b that pretrial detention can \u2063have severe negative consequences for individuals&#8217; lives, including\u200b loss of employment, housing \u200cinstability, and separation \u200bfrom their families.<\/p>\n<p>If \u2062the bill is signed into law,\u200d the ACLU of \u200bGeorgia plans to challenge its \u200dconstitutionality in court. They argue that it\u200c violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, which \u2063prohibit cruel and unusual\u2063 punishment and guarantee equal protection under the law, respectively.<\/p>\n<p>However, supporters of the bill contend that it balances public safety\u200d concerns with the need to hold \u200bindividuals accountable for \u2063their actions. Lt. Governor Jones\u200d argues that it targets \u2063repeat\u2062 offenders and those charged with serious crimes, thereby \u200cprotecting communities and reducing the risk of recidivism.<\/p>\n<p>The debate over cash bail reform is likely to continue, with \u200dthe ACLU of Georgia and other civil rights organizations committed to fighting against laws \u200cthey perceive as unjust.\u2063 The outcome of this particular bill will\u200c have significant implications for the criminal justice system and the lives of individuals affected by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/out-of-control-crime-threatens-to-bury-democrat-chances-in-november\/\" title=\"Out Of Control Crime Threatens To Bury Democrat Chances In November\">cash bail requirements<\/a> in Georgia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The ACLU of Georgia warned of a lawsuit against the state if Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) failed to veto a bill that increases crimes necessitating cash bail. The threat came in a press release days after the Georgia General Assembly approved the bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":243,"featured_media":2173088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2023\/10\/GettyImages-980041056.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2173087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2023\/10\/GettyImages-980041056.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2173087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/243"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2173087"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2173087\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2173088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2173087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2173087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2173087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}