Macon County navigates first day of no cash bail system
Share this @internewscast.com

MACON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) – One by one people went before a Macon County judge for their arraignment. But the process looks a little different than in the past – no cash bail is now in full swing across Illinois.

In the courtroom, the judge decided whether or not someone should be detained before their trial. In many of the cases, the judge ruled to release the person pre-trial and set conditions they must follow while out on release.

“They were probably people that would have had lower bonds set anyway,” Scott Rueter, the Macon County state’s attorney, said. “It’s not a great crisis that they’re being released without any bond money in terms of guaranteeing their appearance, especially since we got the conditions.”

Others were detained depending on what they were charged with, taking into account if the person was a threat to public safety or a flight risk. They also looked at their overall criminal history.

“We tried to be very selective about which ones we wanted to proceed on, and make sure that we got it right,” Rueter said.

In one case regarding burglary charges, they had to navigate between the old and the new systems.

“He had other charges that while still bond was pending, he’s being held on those but he can’t be detained on these even though these charges and his older charges are exactly the same,” Rueter said.

Overall, Rueter said the first day under the no cash bail system went smoothly.

“We basically got everything we wanted today in terms of either people detained or released on conditions, so from our point of view, it went fairly well,” Rueter said.

The county’s chief public defender, Michelle Sanders, agreed.

“The rulings were not unexpected, I think,” Sanders said. “I really appreciate it, we were able to get some released with conditions, it made sense because these are individuals who likely would have been able to post their bond anyway.”

A little under 300 people are behind bars in the Macon County Jail. Sanders said some will have to decide if they want to move their case to the new no cash bail system.

“We also do have a small percentage of people who are held on non-detainables that we are in the process of getting out,” Sanders said. “We have petitions going on file today, they’re held on a non-detainable offense, we’ll get them into court within the next week, get a hearing done, get them out.”

Reuter said he doesn’t have any major concerns about how the new system will operate moving forward.

“We’ll hit bumps and there’ll be problems but I think we’ll weather them pretty well,” Rueter said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Pasco Sheriff’s Office on the Hunt for Missing 28-Year-Old Woman from New Port Richey

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. – The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is asking for…

St. Petersburg resident arrested for evading traffic stop at high speed, going through three red lights, says FHP.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A man was arrested Saturday after troopers…

Is napping beneficial or detrimental to brain health?

NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — Good sleep is usually ignored in conversations about…

Volunteers’ Journey Ends in Elite Eight

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (WATE) – Tennessee’s season has come to an end in…

Film Fundraiser in Champaign Hosted by Jack and Jill of America

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — An organization that helps guide future black leaders…

Wisconsin’s Attorney General Appeals to State Supreme Court to Halt Musk’s $1 Million Disbursements

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin’s attorney general on Sunday asked the liberal-controlled state…

Augusta Eateries Gear Up for Masters Tournament Visitors

AUGUSTA, Ga () – We are only a week and a half…

Pope’s Vulnerability Sets an Example for All Ages

ROME – Pope Francis’ frailty was on full view as he left…

Alabama Man Arrested for Attempted Home Invasion Near Newberry Road

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Antonio Montez Wilson, 43, of Alabama, was…

European Space Startup Achieves Successful Test Flight of New Orbital Rocket

OSLO – A rocket by a private European aerospace company launched from…

Why Transgender Individuals, Making Up Just 1% of the Population, Captivate Political Debate

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump used contentiousness around transgender people’s access…

Roof Partially Collapses in Kissimmee Warehouse Fire; No Injuries Reported

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A roof partially collapsed at a warehouse during a…