The new Illinois law

Rockford IL

Description

The 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment. Under CURRENT Illinois law, many bail requirements are automatic. I'm a poor guy, minimum wage job, and I buy a loose joint on the street and get busted. My bail is automatically set at, say $500. I don't have $500, so I stay in jail (at taxpayer expense) until trial. I lose my job, and my family suffers more. On the other hand, I'm a pretty successful drug dealer; people have died from using my product, but, hey! Business! I get busted. Cash bail is automatically set at, say $25,000. Drug dealers have dough, so I have the money at home and my wife bails me out and I'm back on the street. Under the NEW law, both "me's" would have a hearing before a judge. The me that bought a loose joint probably isn't a flight risk, and is no danger to the community; the judge may allow my release, or lower my bail. On the other hand, me the dealer IS a flight risk, and IS a danger to the community; I may be denied bail, or it would be set even higher. THAT'S the new law. But you bugs hear shit on right wing media, and you're swept away in a wave of self-righteous indignation. Carry on.