Missouri Supreme Court to change rules on bail

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) The Missouri Supreme Court is changing court rules
for setting bail.Supreme Court Chief Justice Zel Fischer announced the changes Wednesday during his State of the Judiciary address to state lawmakers.

Courts beginning in July must first consider non-monetary conditions for
defendants’ release. Judges will still be able to set bail, but only at the
amount necessary to ensure either public safety or to ensure that the defendant
will appear again in court.

The rules also say judges can only order defendants to be jailed before trial
without bail or other conditions for release if they determine that’s necessary
for safety reasons.

Fischer says under current rules, too many people can’t afford bail for
low-level offenses and can lose their jobs while waiting for trial.

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