Federal judge says St. Louis jails can't hold inmates unable to afford bail in underscore of new

Federal judge says St. Louis jails can’t hold inmates unable to afford bail in underscore of new Supreme Court rules


St. Louis cannot continue to keep people in prison for simply being unable to afford bail, a federal judge ruled this week — a precursor to changes to bail conditions already made by the Missouri Supreme Court set to go into effect next month.

Earlier this year, the state’s highest court announced changes to pretrial detention, specifically requiring courts to move toward non-monetary conditions of release unless absolutely necessary. The changes will be fully implemented on July 1.

But before the changes could go into effect, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday, ruling St. Louis jails can no longer hold people only because of an inability to pay bail. Individuals can still be held if there’s “clear and convincing evidence” of a public safety threat or otherwise needed.

U.S. District Judge Audrey Fleissig gave the state seven days to hold a hearing for those currently incarcerated at the City Justice Center or the Medium Security Institution — often referred to as the “Workhouse” — to present evidence of whether detention is necessary, with the burden of proof resting on the government. Those arrested since her ruling must have a hearing within 48 hours of the arrest.

Read more: https://themissouritimes.com/62322/federal-judge-says-st-louis-jails-cant-hold-inmates-unable-to-afford-bail-in-underscore-of-new-supreme-court-rules/