Georgia governor signs controversial Republican-backed bill requiring cash bail for more crimes

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (D) signed a controversial bill requiring cash bail for more crimes that require cash bail on Wednesday, according to to a press release from his office.

Senate Bill 63 (SB 3) he adds crimes including extortion, sex trafficking and animal cruelty to the list of those requiring cash bail in the Peach State. The bill was sponsored by five Republicans, including the state Senate majority leader, Sen. Randy Robertson (R).

“This bill makes important bail reforms that will ensure dangerous individuals cannot walk our streets and commit more crimes,” Kemp said at the bill’s signing ceremony on Wednesday, according to his office.

The Georgia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) strongly criticized the signed bill in a statement on Wednesday, stating that SB 63 is “cruel, expensive and counterproductive.”

“Research shows that incarcerating people only increases crime and costs to taxpayers, and yet Georgia incarcerates a higher percentage of its population than any other state in the country,” the organization said in a statement Wednesday. fair.

“SB 63 doubles down on that position, forcing even more people to languish in prison because they are poor or mentally ill,” the statement continues. “We are very disappointed that Governor Kemp sacrificed the good of Georgia for political gain. The ACLU of Georgia will challenge SB 63 in court to prevent it from taking effect.”