Lansing Sun

State Representative Graham Filler, who serves as the Republican vice chair of the House Criminal Justice Committee, has raised concerns about proposed changes to Michigan's bail system. The bills under consideration, numbered 4655-4656 and 4658-4661, would require judges to release certain offenders without bail, regardless of the circumstances of their arrest.

Rep. Filler emphasized that these proposals significantly limit judicial discretion. "This represents a dangerous shift in how we handle public safety," he stated. He argued that Michigan's criminal justice system should prioritize public safety and criticized the bills for potentially allowing offenders who pose threats to be released without bail.

Filler cited examples from other states like New York and California, where similar reforms have allegedly led to increased repeat offenses. In New York City, he noted that nearly half of felony offenders released without bail were rearrested while awaiting trial. "When repeat offenders are given a free pass, it’s no surprise that crime rates go up," Filler said.

The proposed legislation in Michigan would prevent judges from considering factors such as a defendant’s criminal history or potential danger to the community when deciding on bail for individuals charged with so-called "low-level" crimes. Rep. Filler expressed his concern: “We trust our judges to make decisions that keep our communities safe.”

He urged lawmakers to think about the impact these changes could have on local communities, particularly mentioning Oakland County, which has experienced a series of robberies targeting upscale neighborhoods. "If we move forward with this radical experiment," Filler warned, "we risk turning our neighborhoods into the next hotbeds for crime sprees."

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