BOSTON – This week, State Representative Steven George Xiarhos (R–5th Barnstable) continued his strong opposition on Beacon Hill to Massachusetts laws providing cashless bail for criminal defendants.
“Cashless bail may have been well-meaning, but in practice it has failed,” Xiarhos said in written testimony he submitted to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Judiciary. “It has compromised public safety, removed accountability for offenders, wasted taxpayer dollars, and demoralized the law enforcement officers sworn to protect our communities. Most importantly, it has failed victims of crime, who deserve better from our justice system.”
In his testimony, Xiarhos urged his legislative colleagues to pass legislation (H.2059) he filed earlier this session to eliminate cashless bail in the Commonwealth. The bill will be heard by the Judiciary Committee in the coming days…