BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Bail bonds in Erie County could decrease significantly in the coming months.
Erie County legislators unanimously passed a bail reform resolution urging Albany to reduce or even eliminate the cost of bail for some low level non violent criminals.
A report published by the Partnership for Public Good said the average bail price in Erie County is five times more expensive than in New York City.
According to the report, of the all the misdemeanor trails the organization viewed, nearly 40 percent of all bail bonds were set between $5,000 and $6,000.
"So you're in jail so you can't afford bail specifically on an offense that is non violent and you aren't a harm to the community you're at risk of losing your job your complete life is altered," Democrat legislator, April Baskin, the author of the bill said.
7 Eyewitness News spoke with multiple bail bonds salesmen who said they aren't worried about the negative effect this could have on business since this bill only effects low level misdemeanor criminals.
