Q: I have two basic questions. Is bail still required in California for release from jail? Hasn’t Los Angeles County greatly reduced when bail has to be paid?

K.L., Hermosa Beach

A: Article 1, Section 12, of the California Constitution sets forth that an individual “shall be released on bail by sufficient sureties,” except in certain cases. These include capital crimes, certain violent felony offenses, felony sexual assault offenses, and those felony offenses when “facts are evident or presumption great,” and the defendant has threatened another with great bodily harm which likely will be carried out if the person is released.

Article 1, Section 28, of the Constitution, known as Marsy’s Law, further provides that when setting, reducing or denying bail, the court shall take into consid

See Full Page