Paul DeMarco: Alabama Supreme Court approval of changes to bond law good news for public safety

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Image source: Parsons, Lee & Juliano, P.C.

Another week and more high-profile crime in the state of Alabama. 

A murder suspect in Mobile has now been arrested after being accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend. 

What makes this another sad broken record in Alabama is the murder suspect was out on bond for a separate murder charge when the new crime occurred. There have been so many of these tragic incidents it is hard to keep count.

How many more innocent victims have to be killed by individuals charged with violent crimes and awaiting trial for their charges? Across the Nation, the public has been put in danger because of violent criminals let back out on the streets. 

Hopefully, a recent change by the Alabama Supreme Court will save lives if fully implemented by trial judges. 

The Court has now raised the maximum suggested bail in murder cases to $1.5 million, which is ten times the current amount of $150,000.  The maximum bail in a capital murder charge remains no bond. This has been a long time coming, and if already in place, would have kept behind bars repeat felons who should never have been released. 

There are still a lot of changes that need to be made to our criminal justice system to keep the public safe. The Alabama Legislature still has an important role in aggressively giving prosecutors and law enforcement the tools they need to successfully pursue those that would break the law.

The Alabama Supreme Court has done their part. If Alabama trial courts follow these new changes to bail laws, it will save lives by keeping those behind bars who are charged with killing an innocent victim before they do it again.

Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives.