Los Angeles County “Zero Bail” Policy Coming to an End NR22220rc

The pandemic pushed Los Angeles County to instate a “zero bail” policy which issued a modified bail schedule providing “zero bails” for individuals accused of low-level offenses, infractions, misdemeanors, and some felony offenses as a way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections in pre-trial incarcerations and to reduce the local jail population. This zero-bail policy expired on July 1, 2022.

Beginning March 28, 2021, the Los Angeles Police Department started capturing the Zero-Bail Impact Assessment arrest data to track individuals who were previously arrested for a felony charge between March 2020 and the present, and were re-arrested for a misdemeanor, non-serious felony, or non-violent felony offense.

As of June 25, 2022, there were 649 reported Zero-Bail re-arrests. These cases involve:

• The re-arrest of an individual arrested for Domestic Battery. Earlier that day, the same individual had been arrested for Post Release Community Supervision.
• An individual was arrested for Driving a Vehicle without Owner’s Consent. Earlier that day, the same individual had been arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale.
•  An individual was arrested for Grand Theft Auto. Earlier that day, the same individual had been arrested for Grand Theft Auto.
• An individual was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and earlier the same day the same individual had been arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
• An individual was arrested for Human Trafficking. Earlier that day, the same individual had been arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. There were 2 individuals arrested 5 times each during a 15-month period between March 28, 2021 and June 25, 2022.

The “Zero Bail” has been rescinded, the Department will be guided by the District Attorney’s Office and City Attorney’s Office and will work in partnership to protect the lives, quality of lives and the property of the citizens of the City of Los Angeles with the utmost integrity, accountability and transparency.