The County Commission in Broward County has approved an ordinance limiting the number of people in the local pretrial release program. Many bondsmen are enthusiastic about the ordinance and point out that the bail bond industry does not cost taxpayers anything (unlike the pretrial release program, which is funded by tax dollars) and does a good job of keeping tabs on defendants out on bail. Defendants with no financial resources might still qualify for the pretrial release program, but fewer people would meet the program’s new requirements.

Other in the area, including Sun-Sentinel columnist Michael Mayo, does not believe limiting pretrial release programs is a good idea. Perhaps he needs to read this article to learn how pretrial release programs are less effective in ensuring a defendant shows up for his or her court date.