California Supreme Court Orders Judges to Soften Bail Terms for Criminals Across the State
David Lindfield
May 18, 2026 - 11:45 am
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is sounding the alarm after California’s Supreme Court handed down a sweeping bail ruling that critics warn could unleash repeat offenders back into communities across the state.
In a unanimous 7-0 decision issued April 30, the California Supreme Court ruled that judges must set bail amounts defendants can realistically afford unless the suspect is accused of a violent or sexual offense.
The ruling stemmed from a case involving a homeless man arrested for using a found credit card to purchase a $7 cheeseburger.
The decision is already triggering backlash from prosecutors and law enforcement officials who say it will gut efforts to crack down on chronic offenders in cities already struggling with crime and public safety issues.
Brooke Jenkins Warns Ruling Will Undo Crime Reduction Efforts
https://slaynews.com/california-supreme-court-orders-judges-soften-bail-terms-criminals-across-state/