NEWS

August 15, 2007
Iowa ruling could lower inmates' bonds

Getting out of jail will be a little easier thanks to a decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to lower the amount of bonds that some inmates can pay to be released.

The court also ordered that police no longer stack crimes to ensure higher bonds for people charged with crimes. Instead, courts now can impose only the bond for the highest criminal charge.

The order, filed Aug. 2, takes effect Wednesday.

The court said the changes were made as part of a periodic review of the bond schedule that found that modifications were warranted.

The change will mean, for example, that someone charged with prostitution will face a bond of $2,000, rather than $6,500 for the aggravated misdemeanor. The person could be released after paying the bond, or paying 10 percent to a bail bondsman.

Bonds won't change for many more serious charges, including assault, murder, sexual abuse or robbery.

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