The Springfield Mayor is not willing to take NO for an answer.
For years Springfield Mayor Dom Sarno has tried to get state lawmakers to pass a bill that would provide for real bail reform--namely allowing prosecutors to appeal abnormally high bails just as the defense can appeal high bails. Sarno says that one proposal would go a long way to keeping dangerous repeat offenders off the streets. The bill has lingered for years- unable to make it out of committee. Well the mayor says he has asked State Rep Angelo Puppolo and he has agreed to re-file the same measure that dates back now to 2015. The bill has the backing of the DA- and victim right's advocates--but still has not made it to a floor debate in the legislature.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank State Representative Angelo Puppolo for his continued efforts and leadership in refiling this much-needed common sense, public safety and quality of life legislation. The intent of this legislation is to give our Commonwealth and District Attorney’s equal footing when addressing violent repeat criminal offenders as it relates to the ability of appealing bail set in District Court. Too often, we see repeat criminal violent offenders involved and charged with guns, drugs and other violent crimes back on our streets and in our community on low or no bail. They have little to no regard of the conditions in which they are released – GPS ankle bracelet, probation; none of these conditions of their release seems to deter these repeat violent criminal offenders from committing more crimes in our neighborhoods and negatively impacting the public safety and quality of life for our residents and business community.”
The bill would not take away any rights of defendants- only give an avenue of appeal to prosecutors.
(Photo by MARVIN RECINOS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: Getty Images