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Churches and nonprofits ensnared in Georgia push to restrict bail funds

By R.J. RICO
Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — For years, churches and nonprofits have banded together money to bail out people from jail, often in time for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. But these wide-scale initiatives could be significantly restricted, if not criminalized, under a recently passed Georgia bill. Opponents have called the bill an unprecedented attack on bail funds, churches and other organizations that post inmates’ bail. The Republican-backed proposal requires organizations to register as a bail bond company in order to bail out more than three people in a year. Supporters say community bail funds require more oversight. But Democrats are outraged, saying it will cause even worse overcrowding in jails and would disproportionately hurt poor, minority defendants.

Article Topic Follows: AP-National

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