Jan. 30, 2026
Judge blocks Riverside County from jailing low-level defendants who can't pay bail
The ruling addresses 19 felony charges and highlights research showing pretrial incarceration causes harm without improving public safety.
An Orange County Superior Court judge has issued a preliminary injunction barring Riverside County, its sheriff's office and Sheriff Chad Bianco from detaining individuals arrested on lower-level charges before arraignment solely because they cannot afford money bail.
The ruling, issued by Judge William D. Claster, marks the latest judicial rebuke of the cash bail system and carries broad implications for pretrial detention practices statewide. The emergency order applies to 1...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$895, but save $100 when you subscribe today… Just $795 for the first year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In