(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A top Republican lawmaker is rejecting accusations that he and his party are fear-mongering over the imminent end to cash bail in Illinois.
Backers of the controversial SAFE-T Act say accused criminals with a history of violence will be held in jail while awaiting trial, while non-violent offenders will be released.
But House Republican Leader Jim Durkin — a former prosecutor from Western Springs — argues the new system will only allow detention hearings for people accused of "non-probational" offenses. A host of serious crimes, including robbery, burglary and arson, are not in that classification, he said.
Durkin adds that detained suspects must get their trial within 90 or they will be freed on their own recognizance.
“It can’t be more clear that you have a 90-day requirement for a person to go to trial, otherwise they must be released, and they will be placed on a recognizance bond,” he said.
“There’s no discretion on this. It’s not fear-mongering. It’s reality.”
Some legal experts say the 90-day provision mirrors the current "speedy trial" requirement that judges routinely waive if the lawyers need more time for discovery and the like.
The pretrial portion of the SAFE-T Act go into effect Jan. 1, and even supporters say there may be some adjustments before then.
Related
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram