The head of a local law enforcement agency is expressing his concern over a new Missouri Supreme Court ruling that went into effect earlier this month. Ozark County Sheriff Darrin Reed says the ruling could mean suspects charged in local area crimes will not be held in jail as their cases proceed through the court system. As a result, it’s likely residents will see defendants normally held on cash bonds instead released into the community for months until a disposition can be reached in their case or a trial is scheduled.
According to the Ozark County Times, the “Missouri Bond Reform” ruling requires judges to consider conditions of release that don’t require money first. If a monetary bond is issued, it must not exceed the amount “necessary to ensure the defendant’s appearance.” The court must then determine if the bail should be waived or minimized before ordering a defendant to pay the bond. The Supreme Court also ruled a defendant may only be detained pretrial if “required for safety.”
Sheriff Reed says he believes the new ruling will immediately impact Ozark County and the defendants in the court system involved in both old and new cases. He told the newspaper judges can make defendants post bond if they have a history of failing to appear or are a threat to the public. Reed added he will soon retire and advocate in a better way for law enforcement officers, and he plans to address the citizens of the county when the time is right. For now, Reed says his office will catch their suspects, book them and let the courts do as they will.
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