Sigh. Here we go again. Legislators have decided to end bail and bonds as we know them in a misguided effort to “end racial and economic discrimination”. We’ve mentioned Bail Fail ( how the proposed elimination of cash bail in other states like New Jersey) in other blog posts, Facebook mentions, and Twitter feed. Do we really have to “wait and see” what happens before the same disastrous results occur in California? Look at a recent Opinion from the Orange County Register written by Andrew Do and Tony Rackauckas. “Sacramento continues risky experiments with public safety. During this year’s legislative […]
Referendum on SB10 to Save Our Criminal Justice System
October 7th, 2018 written by Bob MillerAn eloquent editorial against Bail Reform
May 1st, 2018 written by Scott MinerFrom a recent article in the Orange County Register: Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney for Orange County eloquently explains why Bail Reform is a bad idea. I’ve written about the negative aspects (not so eloquently) of bail reform, the posts are available here under blog posts. “There have been two major cases in the news recently, both of which have garnered national media attention. In Orange County, Samuel Woodward was granted $5 million bail after he was charged with murdering 19-year-old Ivy League student Blaze Bernstein. In Riverside County, the Louise and David Turpin are being held in lieu of $12 […]
Update on New Jersey Bail Fail
February 23rd, 2018 written by Scott MinerWe know that our admiring public has been waiting anxiously for an updated blog post on SB10, the California Senate Bill trying to eliminate bail and bail bondsmen in Orange County and throughout the Golden State. Last we heard, Governor Jerry Brown has decided that it will be a priority for 2018 (but if his term ends this year, it would seem that it’ll be someone else’s problem). Proponents of the bill, and critics of the bail system as it currently stands complain that bail is biased against the poor, that the rich can buy their way to freedom in […]
Die Bill, Die!
September 10th, 2017 written by Scott MinerDie Bill, Die! No silly, I’m not proposing to murder someone named William. I’m referring to California Senate Bill 10, affectionately known as SB10, which is attempting to eliminate bail and bondsman as an industry throughout the state. Last we checked it was sent to Appropriations for further study. As of September 6, 2017, several amendments to the original bill were added and it was sent back to Appropriations. Sheesh, can’t they just let this thing die? We’ve talked about this in past blog posts here. You only have to look at New Jersey’s current state of affairs regarding repeat […]
A 3.5 Billion Dollar Mistake
June 15th, 2017 written by Bob MillerOnce again the status of bail bonds as we’ve come to know them is in jeopardy in the state of California. As you’ll recall from a previous post here (Is Prop 47 a Flop?) statistics have shown that doing away with the need for bail bonds by virtue of releasing arrested persons on their own recognizance has backfired. More people are back out in the communities committing repeat crimes sometimes even before their first court appearance on their original arrest. Now there is legislation pending in the California legislature in the form of AB42 in the House of Representatives and […]
Newport Beach Jail Information
February 12th, 2017 written by Bob MillerNewport Beach, California has long been home to the rich and famous. It is home to luxurious mansions, yachts, restaurants, resorts, shopping malls, and of course, the beach. Over the years it’s been a playground to the stars who in days gone by would take the Red Car trolleys from Tinsel Town (aka Hollywood) to Newport Beach for fun in the sun. However if you are arrested in Newport Beach by the Newport Beach Police Department, you will most likely be taken to the Jail which is located at 870 Santa Barbara Drive at the crossroads between Jamboree Road and Santa Barbara Drive where […]
Cuban Bail
December 11th, 2016 written by Scott MinerJust got back from a ten day trip to Havana,Cuba. Going in I wasn’t sure what to expect, I sorta had a vision of a strict depressing atmosphere somewhat like Romania or another Communist bloc country. I knew the climate would be pleasant, I lived in Puerto Rico for many years, another Caribbean island with a Spanish speaking population. I have to say that my opinion of Cuba was completely changed by my visit there. Yes, there’s poverty to a large extent, but the average citizen is not resigned, nor sad, but content with Cuban life. Nobody goes without food […]
James Musick: The Jail and The Man
October 17th, 2016 written by Scott MinerThis will be the third installment of the ongoing series of posts about Orange County jails. The third jail in the Orange County Jail system is the James Musick Facility, also known as The Farm. James Musick was an interesting guy! Musick is a one hundred acre minimum security facility. The facility is located in an unincorporated area of the county near the cities of Irvine and Lake Forest. Originally the facility held a maximum of 200 male minimum-security inmates and was referred to as the “County Industrial Farm” or the “Honor Farm.” Since 1986, the inmate housing capacity has […]
The History of Theo Lacy and Orange County’s Jails
September 19th, 2016 written by Scott MinerTheophilus “Theo” Lacy, was a farmer, stable operator, and former Santa Ana town treasurer. He was also Orange County’s second (1891-95) and fourth (1899-1911) sheriff. Because the county was principally agricultural and sparsely populated, however, Lacy didn’t have much to do other than chase vagrants, look into an (infrequent) fight or robbery, and oversee the simple jail. Theo Lacy died in June 1918, as one of the county’s best-known citizens. Today, one of Orange County’s modern jails is named after the Lacy family. The Spurgeon Square Jail, aka “Lacy’s Hotel,” 1897-1924 Today, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department oversees three jails, with […]
Is it a crime to be poor? (We don’t think so)
September 2nd, 2016 written by Scott MinerIs it a crime to be poor? by Scott Miner Lightnin’ Hopkins, the most heavily recorded blues musician once wrote a song entitled “It’s a sin to be rich, it’s a low-down shame to be poor”. The United States Justice Department recently issued a ruling stating that holding defendants in jail is unconstitutional based on the fact that they can’t afford to make bail. The court filing said that it is a violation of the US Constitution Fourteenth Amendment. This is the first time the government has taken a position like this before a federal appeals court. It’s the latest […]