Court Opinion

ID: 9742451
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 21:14:09.10818+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:32.730787
License: Public Domain

BAKER, Chief Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent from the majority’s decision to remand this cause for further proceedings on the issue of whether the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to reduce Samm’s $100,000 cash-only bond. Recognizing the long-standing principle that a case is moot when no effective relief can be rendered to the parties before the court, the undisputed evidence in this case established that the trial court reduced Samm’s bail from $100,000 cash-only to “10% on a $50,000 bond.” Appellee’s App. p. 15. Samm bonded out on May 15, 2008, and this appeal focuses only on the original $100,000 bond amount that had been set. Id. at 5. Because the amount on which Samm bonded out is no longer the $100,000 cash-only bond that Samm is challenging on appeal, the issue is moot.
Finally, I cannot agree that a discussion of the trial court’s alleged abuse of discretion in setting the $100,000 bond amount is warranted under an exception to the mootness doctrine. Granted, questions surrounding bond issues may recur, but it is inconceivable to me in this instance that Samm would necessarily be returned to jail if — as the majority presupposes — the trial court would reject the proposed plea agreement. Because Samm has already been released on the reduced bond amount, there is simply no need to remand for further findings about the propriety of the $100,000 bond that had been originally set. As a result, I would dismiss the appeal.