Catch and Release

KSHB has a good report here on Jackson County and the perception (and perhaps reality) that a lot of burglars get arrested, only to be quickly released back into the community. The prosecutor's office argues that it does a good job getting convictions, but says that jail overcrowding means that a lot of suspects are released until they go to trial. (They only have so much room and would rather lock up murder suspects, authorities say.)

Hat Tip: Saw this via Tony's Kansas City!

Comments

[Searching]

Here's a good idea.. instead of letting the burglars go.. why don't you let the marijuana prisoners go..

[Obama is the man]

Another example of corrupt and mismanaged morons who adminster Jackson County government ! Instead of padding their financial nests, Ex- Sheriff Tom Phillips, Legislators Tarwater, Waits, and Arbanas should have been addressing this problem!!!

[Drew]

Searching, if they're not locking up felons in detention, they're not keeping the dopers locked up. It would be interesting to get some detention stat-sheets here, though. I also think the perception that people get arrested for drug offenses leads people to believe they're being locked up for a while. In most cases, I'd be willing to bet they're just held and OR bonded or released with a small bond amount. The system just can't handle holding them while eating up space for violent prisoners.

In my experience statewide, the general sentiment is that if you want to get by with property and drug crimes, go to the KC or STL area. It practically takes a robbery, serious assault or weapons violation, or a homicide to be hit with a high bond in either.

In smaller areas around the state, judges are less tolerant of lower punishment-level crimes (C and D felonies), and are willing to set higher bonds.

Either way, nearly all judges allow their charging / bond-setting decisions to be driven by county jail populations. When there are open beds, they are more willing to hit burglars and car thieves with higher bond amounts, and conversely when the beds start filling up again, you will see more non-violent felony bond reductions.

[Jonathan]

Drew - That makes sense! We don't allow that here, I'm sorry, you are going to have to leave now!