New York judge rules it’s unconstitutional to set bail without regard to ability to pay by Rodnick Unger PC | Feb 12, 2018 | America, General | 0 comments New York judge rules it’s unconstitutional to set bail without regard to ability to pay By Debra Cassens Weiss Setting cash bail without considering an accused person’s ability to pay is unconstitutional, a judge in New York state has ruled. Judge Maria Rosa of Dutchess County ruled Jan. 31 in a suit filed on behalf of Christopher Kunkeli by the New York Civil Liberties Union, the New York Law Journal reports. Rosa said setting bail without considering ability to pay violates the equal protection and due process clauses of the federal and state constitutions. A NYCLU press release is here. Kunkeli had been charged with petit larceny for allegedly shoplifting a vacuum cleaner, according to his habeas petition. He is a mechanic who was 32 years old when the petition was filed. Kunkeli was held on $5,000 bail for nearly three months before he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor last month and was sentenced to time served. Rosa said the plea did not make the case moot because of the novel issue and the likelihood of repetition. See also: ABA House supports money bail system reform Rosa rejected arguments that the issue is for the legislature. “While it is clear that the legislature must act,” she said, “it is undisputed that the earliest such action could occur would be 2019. In the interim, thousands of individuals will be in a similar situation as the petitioner was at his arraignment.” NYCLU senior staff attorney Philip Desgranges said in the press release that his organization intends to use this ruling to pursue statewide reform that would end the jailing of people solely because they can’t afford bail. District attorneys in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Westchester County have already announced their offices will not seek cash bail in most low-level cases. Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady previously told the New York Law Journal that the shift away from monetary bail in misdemeanor cases is “somewhat misguided” and prosecutors in his county could continue to seek bail. He also said that the $5,000 bail set for Kunkeli was “entirely appropriate” because of a prior criminal history. Credit: https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/new_york_judge_rules_its_unconstitutional_to_set_bail_without_regard_to_abi Recent Posts New York judge rules it’s unconstitutional to set bail without regard to ability to pay New tax law affects alimony, could spur divorce surge 5 cybersecurity steps you should already be taking Recent Comments Archives February 2018 Categories America Divorce Law General Security Cyber Law Meta Log in Entries feed Comments feed WordPress.org Rodnick, Unger & Piraino, P.C. 3280 E. Thirteen Mile Rd Warren MI 48092 Phone: (586) 574-0020 Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Evening & Weekend Appointments Available Home Law Firm Profile Our Attorneys Law Practice Areas Testimonials Contact Us