Bail Reform Headlines Newly Signed Criminal Justice Law

Gov. Nathan Deal signed the latest and last criminal justice reform legislation Monday, approved by the final General Assembly of his eight years in office.

The bill directs judges to offer alternatives to money bail for misdemeanor offenses, although it doesn't ban it altogether, as some jurisdictions—such as the city of Atlanta—have done in the past year.

Deal described the legislation as “providing increased flexibility and transparency”—giving judges “more opportunities to utilize community service and educational advancement as alternatives to fines or as a condition of probation.” The legislation is based on recommendations from the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform and builds upon Deal's previous criminal justice reform initiatives.