A state lawmaker wants to make it harder for illegal immigrants accused of crimes to post bond and leave jail.
Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Canton) plans to sponsor a bill that would close what he sees as a dangerous loophole. He says under current law, people accused of all but the worst crimes can go in front of a lower court judge or clerk, put up bond, walk away and disappear.
He has no exact figures on how many people are taking advantage of the system. But, Hill says, "Anecdotally, I've been talking to sheriff's departments, clerk's departments and bail bondsmen who say not only is it a serious problem, but it's increasing every day."
Hill says the situation has gotten so bad that many bail bond companies will not do business with illegal immigrants.
His legislation would require an undocumented person charged with a felony to go before a Superior Court judge who would then determine whether they should post bond or go back to jail.
Hill says he is not trying to target any particular ethnic group.
Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Canton) plans to sponsor a bill that would close what he sees as a dangerous loophole. He says under current law, people accused of all but the worst crimes can go in front of a lower court judge or clerk, put up bond, walk away and disappear.
He has no exact figures on how many people are taking advantage of the system. But, Hill says, "Anecdotally, I've been talking to sheriff's departments, clerk's departments and bail bondsmen who say not only is it a serious problem, but it's increasing every day."
Hill says the situation has gotten so bad that many bail bond companies will not do business with illegal immigrants.
His legislation would require an undocumented person charged with a felony to go before a Superior Court judge who would then determine whether they should post bond or go back to jail.
Hill says he is not trying to target any particular ethnic group.
