Court Opinion

ID: 9567491
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:54:30.998753+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:00:38.271686
License: Public Domain

COATS, Judge,
concurring.
I agree with the majority that the equal protection clause requires that legislation which restricts bail pending appeal must treat people who are similarly situated similarly. I also agree that the proper test for this court to apply in evaluating such legislation is the rational basis test. I would emphasize, however, that in my view, the equal protection clause does allow the legislature a considerable amount of discretion in determining which offenses should give rise to the right to bail. However, having said that, I have a great deal of difficulty justifying the legislature’s decision to restrict bail pending appeal after a conviction for robbery in the first degree while allowing bail pending appeal after a conviction for murder in the second degree. Therefore, I concur in the decision.