If you or a loved one has a criminal case pending and you're worried about going to jail in Los Angeles County or your loved one is already in jail, and you're concerned about their health, safety, and well-being in the jail, it certainly is a legitimate concern.
Since I've been handling many criminal cases over the last 26 years and have seen the evolution of jails and where we stand now, I thought it might be a good idea to provide some information.
Own Recognizance Release Due to Coronavirus
Since I've been practicing for the last 26 years, I think the jails have been overcrowded. In other words, there are a lot of people in Los Angeles County. There's a lot of crime going on, and a lot of people end up in jail.
I think that's why there's a lot of reform being pushed for right now where a lot of these crimes are causing people to go to jail that are non-violent, and they're ending up in jail and blocking up our jail. We can't deal with violent offenders.
There's a lot of stuff going on to try to deal with that. As we talk about it now, the jails are still overcrowded. A lot of people can't go to prison because of the Coronavirus, so they're just trapped in the LA County Jail.
That's why they had to let out nearly 4,000 inmates, and that's why there's an emergency bail situation. There's no bail. Everybody's released on their own recognizance.
This is to try to deal with the Coronavirus and the fact that you're 15 times more likely to get the Coronavirus inside the LA County Jail because there's simply no room to social distance.
Many times, they don't have masks, people don't cooperate, and they can't give people the hand sanitizer. There are all sorts of issues going on.
Exceptions to Bail Emergency
There is an exception to that no bail emergency order if there's a serious case, such as a murder, attempted murder, three-strikes, or any sex crime offense. Those are examples of cases where they will still put bail on somebody, and there are some other cases, as well, like domestic violence.
It really just depends on the facts and circumstances of why you were arrested and what's going on in your case. Obviously, your criminal defense attorney can argue that you'd be released on your own recognizance.
I think the judges, even the prosecutors, to a degree, really don't want to put people in jail right now because of the overcrowding. Still, sometimes, they feel they have no choice for the safety of the public based on the type of crime and the person's prior criminal record.
But right now, the jails are a tough place because I'm getting these co-defendant cases, where there are two, three, four, or five defendants on the case.
I would say better than 70% of the time when these guys come to court, one of the defendants is quarantined. So, that means the whole case gets turned on its end, and we're not able to do anything.
There are quarantines in the county jail every single day. If one person tests positive for the Coronavirus, they'll figure out and trace back who that person was with, and then that whole area will be quarantined.
Keeping You Out Of The Los Angeles County Jail
So, it's not a good time to be in the LA County Jail. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a crime, obviously, you better hire an attorney. That's your priority because the attorney is the one who will keep the person out of jail if that's possible, based on the type of crime they are charged with.
If there's a chance to argue that the person is innocent, file a motion on their behalf. Obviously, an attorney is best suited for that.
One good thing I will say about the state of the LA County Jail system right now is that I don't think people are serving a huge percentage of their time. So, to me, now would be the time to go in because you're likely to get out relatively quickly.
Even people who are getting state prison sentences cannot serve them in state prison because the state prisons aren't allowing anybody to come in because of the Coronavirus; well, that person is going to be in LA County Jail.
Next Step If Charged With A Crime in Los Angeles
I believe that scenario is quickly mounting up as we speak, and they're going to have to start letting people who care getting big prison sentences out early because of the overcrowding, for safety reasons, and because they have to make room for new people who are being arrested every single day.
So, if you or a loved one is charged with a crime in Los Angeles County, you're looking for a good criminal defense attorney, and you're concerned about the LA County Jail system, pick up the phone.
Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding. I stand at the ready to help you. Hedding Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County at 16000 Ventura Blvd #1208 Encino, CA 91436. Contact us for a free case evaluation at (213) 542-0979.
