State Rep. Gary Howell has introduced legislation as part of a bipartisan plan to reform Michigan’s broken cash bail system, continuing to protect public safety, and potentially saving Michigan tax payers over $100 million per year.

Howell, of North Branch, said the plan would make much-needed reforms to ensure people are not kept in jail prior to trial simply because they cannot afford to pay for their release. Suspects would remain detained when they pose a danger to society or a flight risk.

“We create a vicious cycle by keeping people behind bars just because they cannot afford to pay bail,” Howell said. “Many people stuck in jail end up losing their jobs, falling behind on bills and losing custody of their children. These are deep consequences for offenses that are often minor in nature.”

According to a 2015 Department of Justice report, roughly 41 percent of jail inmates in Michigan at the end of 2013 were awaiting trial. With an average cost of $75 a day to house a person in jail, Howell said it adds up to more than $180 million a year in unnecessary costs paid by Michigan taxpayers.

“We can save taxpayer dollars and reduce the burden on our overcrowded jails by making common-sense reforms to our bail system,” Howell said.

The reforms laid out in House Bills 4351-60 would:

• Make pretrial release the standard and require judges to take a person’s ability to pay into account when setting bail.
• Require that defendants have access to financial disclosure forms.
• Create accountability by requiring courts to submit a regular report to the State Court Administrative Office to track bail cases.

Specifically, Howell’s legislation establishes a penalty for anyone who knowingly lies or misrepresents their status on bail financial disclosure forms.

The plan has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

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