Ted Poe: “the stimulus bill we're voting on today is supposed to stimulate business and create jobs. However, one provision of the…”

“the stimulus bill we're voting on today is supposed to stimulate business and create jobs. However, one provision of the bill will do just the opposite. Title II of the Conference Report on H.R. 1, under the Office of Justice Programs, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, provides $2 billion in Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG). This funding is frequently used by local government agencies to fund pretrial release for criminal defendants. The problem is that it's at taxpayer expense. When a defendant is given a pre-trial release bond or personal recognizance bond, he is released on his own recognizance. For example, a bond may be set at $10,000, and the defendant is released on his promise to return based on his 'word' alone. If the defendant does not return, the sheriff has to go find him. The taxpayers are usually out $10,000 because judgments are seldom obtained from defendants for failure to appear. On the other hand, when a surety bond is used, the court enters into a contractual agreement with a bonding company. The defendant also makes an agreement with the bonding company, and pays the company 10 percent. Then the defendant is released with the understanding that the bonding company will pay the court $10,000 if the defendant does not show up. Plus the bonding company is obligated to go and look for the defendant if the defendant does not appear in court. This form of free enterprise takes taxpayers off the financial hook.”