The Curry County Sheriff’s Office released information regarding Oregon’s Pre-Trial Release Law, SB 48, which went into effect at midnight, July 1st.
This law abolished the current bail schedule for crimes in Oregon and caused several crimes to be released from jail after processing. Under this new law most property crimes, most misdemeanor non-domestic person crimes and public nuisance (disorderly conduct/trespass) crimes do not qualify for lodging at the jail.
People can still be arrested and brought to the Jail for processing, however, unless one of the listed “overrides” from the courts exists, the person will be released when processing is completed. Some of these releases have conditions as part of the release and others are released without conditions.
It’s understandable that this new law would create confusion about who would remain in custody and who would be released. This new law mandates release on charges that used to be lodged in Curry County Jail including Assault on a Peace Officer and Aggravated Harassment. Also, since the new law abolishes the existing bail schedule; some people arrested on crimes that can be lodged, will not have an assigned bail amount until the person is arraigned by a Judge.
“Our hands are tied,” Sheriff John Ward said regarding this newly enacted legislation that Governor Kate Brown signed into law, “and it is frustrating that we have to work under parameters that negatively affects the safety of our citizens.”
This new law is not retroactive and does not apply to those already in custody prior to July 1st, 2022, and the Curry County Jail is working closely with our local State Court partners to ensure the law is being followed and those that can be held, be lodged to the best of our ability. Due to our small, antiquated size, force releases for overcrowding and other issues will continue.
The Curry County Jail is still operating on a Modified Covid Lodging Protocols, as well.
A link to SB 48 is on the Jail’s webpage https://www.co.curry.or.us/govern…/county_sheriff/jail.php
