Police Brutality Expert Kevin Flesch Says Pre-Trial Programs Are Flawed
Colorado's Ballot Measure, Prop 102, Would Provide More Accountability, Save Taxpayers Money
DENVER, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A shooting rampage in Florida earlier this month left two dead and injured five. The killer was released from jail last April to the county's pre-trial monitoring program. In Atlanta, a man awaiting trial for rape cut off his ankle bracelet two days before trial and hasn't been heard from since.
"The monitoring system is flawed," says Criminal Defense Attorney Kevin Flesch, who has made a name for himself in Denver representing clients in police brutality cases. "The government-run tracking programs just don't work as well as good old-fashioned bail. Bondsmen who put up bail for offenders keep a close eye on the whereabouts of these folks because they don't want anyone skipping town without paying them back."
On November 3, Colorado voters will decide if Proposition 102 is a good idea. The ballot measure is designed to keep repeat or dangerous defendants in jail if they are unable to post bond. Only first offenders with non-violent misdemeanors would be released on an unsecured bond. The men in Florida or Atlanta would most likely have remained in jail if a similar measure had been in place.
Government-run pre-trial programs are taking a beating this election season with ballot measures like Colorado's to eliminate them and return the tracking of offenders back over to bail bondsmen.
"These pre-trial programs are expensive to run, costing the taxpayer," explains Flesch. "Government agencies have to purchase the GPS ankle bracelets, breathalyzers, and other monitoring devices. Many times the counties throw the book at offenders anyway, double dipping with jail time and pre-trial services - doubling the cost to the taxpayer."
Flesch represented an individual on a domestic violence charge who was released from jail and monitored prior to trial. After trial, he had to remain in jail another 60 days because he had racked up $4,000 in monitoring fees and couldn't pay the cash required to be released from jail. "So, taxpayers had to foot the bill to track him and then had to pay to keep him locked up until he could pay back the county for the use of a GPS ankle bracelet," explained Flesch.
About Kevin Flesch
Kevin Flesch is a partner with The Law Offices of Kevin C. Flesch in Englewood, Colorado. He represents defendants of police brutality and other crimes. He is available to discuss the pre-trial services system and the backlash from bail bondsmen. Flesch was admitted to the Colorado Bar Association in 1996. He is licensed to practice law on the state and federal level. He also serves as a Public Defender for the City of Lakewood. For more information, email Kevin at [email protected].
CONTACT: |
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Amy Jewett Sampson |
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720-891-3137 |
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SOURCE Kevin Flesch
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