Missouri court strikes law denying bail to some immigrants

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     (AP) – The Missouri Supreme Court has struck down a law

that denies bail to criminal defendants who cannot prove they are legally

present in the U.S.

     The unanimous decision Thursday comes in the case of a man who was charged

with a felony for possessing a forged Social Security card. Faustino

Lopez-Matias has been in jail since Sept. 3.

     He was denied bail by a state judge, who cited a Missouri law prohibiting bail

for defendants believed to be in the U.S. without legal permission.

     The state’s high court said the law violates the state Constitution, which

says people have a right to be released on bail pending a trial unless they face

capital charges or pose a danger to others.

     The court ordered the judge to reconsider granting bail.




   

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