Athens Republican Sponsors Bill Restoring Cash Bail for Minor Offenses

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Athens Republican Sponsors Bill Restoring Cash Bail for Minor Offenses

House lawmakers signed off on a controversial measure that would increase the number of misdemeanor criminal offenses that require a cash or property bond to be released from jail.  With a 97–69 vote, the House approved a bill Feb. 6 that Georgia Republicans say is intended to crack down on repeat offenders. But Democrats argue the changes will only hurt the poor. The measure adds theft, criminal trespass and other offenses to the list of misdem…