New County Bail Policy Takes Effect

SAN DIEGO — A new law enforcement policy could land anyone caught committing a petty crime in San Diego County in jail.

The new policy started this week and it means anyone from drivers caught speeding to petty thieves will likely wind up in a jail cell. The policy is in place because another new policy freed the jails up.

Since the beginning of 2010, bailing out of jail has become cheaper because inmates now only have to pay for one of their crimes regardless of how many they were arrested for. It makes bailing out of jail more affordable.

“Doesn’t this make it easier for someone who committed all these crimes to bail out of jail?” asked 10News I-Team reporter Mitch Blacher.

“The amount to bail out would be less, yes,” answered San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore.

“Will decreasing the amount of bail affect public safety?” Blacher asked

“I don’t think so,” Gore responded.

Gore said he sees this as an opportunity to better police the county since more people bailing out means more room in the jails.

Gore sent a letter to every police chief in the county on Monday saying in part: “Recently, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department inmate population has decreased significantly, resulting in an opportunity to reevaluate and broaden the current booking acceptance criteria.”

“So you’re saying, ‘Let’s charge for some more crimes?’” Blacher asked “Oh, absolutely. I don’t want to have empty beds in my jail,” Gore said.

Law enforcement officers will now start arresting people more often for 32 specific crimes including, giving an officer a fake ID, excessive speeding and disturbing the peace.

Violent, repeat and serious offenders can’t get out on reduced bail, law enforcement officials said.

San Diego Felony Charges

A general definition of felony charges

Criminal codes penalize a variety of activities. Generally, an offense is any violation of the California Penal Code. The Penal Code divides offenses into three major categories: felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Felonies are crimes for which a person may be sentenced to imprisonment in the state prison or to death. Misdemeanors are lesser crimes for which a person may be sentenced to imprisonment in a jail. Infractions are not punished by imprisonment at all, and include such offenses as trespassing on land with a vehicle, being under 21 years of age and possessing alcohol, and disturbing the peace. Children under the age of 14 are not capable of committing crimes according to California law, unless the prosecutor presents clear proof that the child had knowledge of the wrongfulness of his or her action.

A felony is a crime which is punishable with death or by imprisonment in the state prison. Every other crime or public offense is a misdemeanor except those offenses that are classified as infractions.