Downey Police to comply with L.A. County’s new bail system

DOWNEY – The Downey Police Department will comply with L.A. County’s new set of bail schedules set to begin Oct. 1, resulting in arrestees being almost immediately released for non-violent offenses.

Under the new policy, police officers must cite-and-release or book-and-release suspects in nearly all theft offenses, vehicle code violations, and crimes against property such as petty theft and vandalism.

Instead of assigning money bail amounts to non-violent felonies and misdemeanors, a majority of suspects will now be released at the location of the arrest or booked in jail and then released on their own recognizance with a citation for a future court date.

Offenses involving guns, sexual battery, crimes against children or elders, and contact with minors with intent to commit a sexual offense will be subject to a magistrate review. Magistrates will consider the crime and determine whether the suspect should be released with no conditions or determine the least restrictive, non-financial conditions intended to address whether the suspect is likely to return to court.

All offenses in the magistrate review category are designated as zero bail offenses.

As an example, a person arrested for false imprisonment under current protocols would be held on $50,000 bail. Under the new system, the suspect would be eligible to be booked and immediately released.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon introduced the new bail system and it was upheld by Los Angeles County Superior Court on July 18.

“This represents a significant change in protocols for all law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County,” the Downey Police Department said in a news release. “The Downey Police Department remains committed to the safety and security of our community. We will continue to work within the processes set forth by the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, and as a profession, make recommendations for improvement at every opportunity.”