I agree that the primary purpose of of bail/bond (and they are 2 different things https://www.justia.com/criminal/bail-bonds/) should be to compel a parties appearance at trial. I disagree that other conditions should be a part of a parties release. The likelihood that the accused will commit further crimes if released has always been a consideration for the court. Otherwise you truly have a catch and release policy that would not act to deter futher crimes by those under indictment.srothstein wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 2:24 pmThe only purpose of holding someone in jail before a trial should be to ensure they show up at trial. It must be based on probable cause to believe he would flee if he were not held. If there is no evidence to suggest he would flee, there should be no bail required. If there is some evidence to suggest it, then I can see requiring enough bail to ensure he will show up (and enough bail is a flexible term based on the assets of the accused and the seriousness of the charge). There should be no other conditions on the release.
This went beyond just speaking to witnesses which is generally allowable. In this case witnesses came forward with evidence that they had been contacted by manafort (or others on his behalf) asking that they withhold evidence and commit perjury in their testimony. The judge found their offers of evidence credible and made the decision to revoke the terms of manafort's release. This was the second time manafort had violated an order of the court, the first being his attempt to publish an op-ed piece for publication using a false name. Manafort was not being punished for the future crime, but for contempt of court in violating the current terms of release. Manafort's current jailing is the result of his own actions.srothstein wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 2:24 pm... for contacting the witnesses based on just rumor or suspicion
I agree that the system is in need of repair. The Harris County bail system was recently held unconstitutional by the federal courts. It is not generally the wealthy who have anything to fear from the current system, but the poor and indigent that have suffered the most being held on strict bail conditions for low level misdemeanors.srothstein wrote: ↑Sun Jun 17, 2018 2:24 pmOur system of bail and pre-trial detention is broken and needs to be fixed.
https://www.courthousenews.com/fifth-ci ... il-system/
Careful, they'll be calling you a liberal next for siding with the ACLU and other left leaning organizations.