By Reed Williams
Richmond Times-Dispatch
RICHMOND, Va. — For many Richmond defendants awaiting trial on relatively minor charges, the days of having to post a cash bond to get released from jail may be coming to an end.
As the city continues searching for ways to lower the inmate population in the run-up to the opening of a new jail, Richmond prosecutors are going to stop asking judges to set cash bonds for many defendants who are not considered a safety risk.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he is now directing his prosecutors — when handling cases in which they normally would request a bond of less than $10,000 — to instead ask a judge to release the defendant on his own word that he will return to court and stay out of trouble.
Full story: Prosecutor’s plan tackles overcrowding at City Jail