Orlando prosecutor not seeking bail from the poor

ORLANDO, Fla. — The state attorney who angered Governor Rick Scott when she said she would not pursue death penalty cases in Orange and Osceola counties, has decided that being jailed for minor crimes is unfair to the poor.

Aramis Ayala’s office issued a statement that her attorneys would not generally seek bail for people arrested for offenses like possession of a small amount of cannabis or drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license or without a license, driving an unregistered vehicle, loitering, panhandling and disorderly conduct or intoxication.

“Florida Statues make it clear that bail is reserved for two instances-- when public safety is jeopardized, and when there is a risk of flight,” she noted.

Ayala pointed out that the law states that bail is not necessary in other cases.

However, people with a record of skipping court or a record of committing violent crimes would not get such treatment from her office.

Organize Florida said it is celebrating the decision.  It’s members believe that police, prisons and jails do not create real safety, but, instead “these institutions uphold structural racism.”