The American Bail Coalition took its turn presenting to the California Detention Workgroup right after me. ABC got its chance to forward its argument. It put together tons of "resources." And it had the list of principles the Chief Justice wanted the Workgroup to consider. Based on the way bail was done in California, it was clear that the Workgroup was looking at ways to improve the process.
What did ABC likely give them? Arguments for keeping everything the same.
And then, when the report comes out and pretty much decides not to keep everything the same, what does ABC do? Insult the Chief Justice.
Yep, for real. In its statement, ABC said the Chief Justice ignored reality, didn't keep her oath of office, was soft on crime, and was playing politics. Nice going ABC. In your zeal to make yourself look good, you've now personally insulted the highest judge in the state of California. You deserve whatever comes from that.
The bail industry has fundamental flaws with its current strategy. As I've said before, this strategy is baked into the fabric of the bail industry's insurance lobbyists, and has existed since the 1960s, when a bail industry representative told attendees at the National Bail Conference basically, "Good luck trying to get rid of us."
So, okay bail agents, keep on sending ABC and the insurance companies all that money. After all, they help pay your losses . . . oh, wait, they don't. Well, then they hire people with great arguments for keeping the bail industry alive . . . oh, wait, maybe not. Well, at least they aren't going around insulting judges, the very people who can eliminate your whole industry simply by choosing not to use you . . . oh, wait.
