Juvenile lifers win key ruling over good behavior credits
DETROIT (AP) — A judge has struck down a law that bars some Michigan prisoners from getting credit for good behavior.
The decision could clear the way for faster parole hearings for prisoners who were convicted of murder when they were teens.
Federal Judge Mark Goldsmith says it was unconstitutional for lawmakers to retroactively cut off good behavior or discipline credits for juvenile lifers in homicides that occurred before 1999.
Dozens have been resentenced to shorter sentences because of a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision. Goldsmith’s ruling, released Monday, is important because credits could move prisoners even closer to freedom.
The judge turned down the state’s request to suspend his decision for 14 days so it can pursue an appeal.
Court to open mid-year application period for new bail bond agencies
The Oakland County Circuit Court will open a mid-year application period for new bail bond agencies that are not on the 2018 Bail Bondsman List and wish to apply and for those agencies currently on the list that wish to add additional agents. This mid-year application is currently open and will run through April 30, 2018. The updated list will become effective July 1, 2018. Anyone already approved for the January 1, 2018, list will not need to re-apply for the current year.
Pursuant to MCLA 750.167(b), the Judges of the Circuit Court are to annually compile and maintain an up-to-date list of the names of persons engaged in the business of becoming surety upon bonds for compensation in criminal cases. The statute states: “The list shall be compiled annually by the Judges of the Circuit Court of each Circuit, and the names of persons engaged in the business of becoming surety upon bonds for compensation shall be added to the list by the Judges upon proper application.” The Court will circulate the list to the appropriate agencies in accordance with the statute.
The Court Administrator has prepared two applications for bondsmen: one for persons backed by insurance and the other for persons backed by real property. Persons or businesses may apply for inclusion on the list under either category or both. (Statutory authority for this review appears in MCLA 765.20.)
Copies of the Bail Bondsman Application are available on the Oakland County website: http://www.oakgov.com/courts/circuit/Pages/form _application/default.aspx or available in the Court Administration Office.
The Court will only accept applications on the revised (03/2018) form. All applications must be submitted through the Court Administration Office, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac Michigan 48341, no later than April 30, 2018. For questions, contact Karen Koshen at 248-858-0296.
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