Will a New Presidency Lead to Bail Bond Law Changes?

With a new election in the horizon in 2024, many Americans have been led to believe that a shift from Democrat to Republican or vice versa in national leadership will see sweeping changes to the criminal justice system, which could impact people on many levels. 

However, many of these fears are unwarranted, with much of it the result of unchecked speculation and misinformation. 

So, should you be concerned that the progressive laws governing California bail bonds may change, making it harder for someone who has been arrested to get financial assistance?

The short answer is no. Here’s why:

There’s a Difference Between Federal and State Law

No matter who takes the presidency in November 2024, it won’t have much impact on bail bond laws in California, as matters of criminal justice and bail regulations are primarily controlled at a state level. 

California has been a majority blue state ever since 1988, and that is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. This means that, even if there is a conservative federal government running the country, the Californian state government will most likely remain very much as is.

With that in mind, federal policy or a president’s stance on broader criminal justice issues could still have an indirect influence on general national trends and could set a tone that might affect state-level reform efforts.

Californian Bail Reform

​​California has come a long way in developing its bail laws and is unlikely to walk them back without a fight. 

The state has thus far repelled significant bail reform efforts, including Senate Bill 10 in 2018, which sought to eliminate cash bail in favor of a risk-based system. However, this was later overturned by voters in 2020. 

That said, a similar reform bill was passed and upheld in the blue state of Illinois in 2021 (the first state in the US to do so), which completely removes cash bail from the equation. Now, arrestees in the state are only granted bail (for free) if they are deemed not to be a risk to society, while high-risk individuals are kept locked up regardless of how much money they can drum up.

Since this kind of reform has already failed in California, it could be unlikely that the state will attempt to go this route again any time soon.

As long as the laws governing California bail bonds remain in tact, ABC Bail Bonds are ready to help those in need. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you get out of jail and get back to your family.