Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
Because of a document signed Thursday by Iowa Chief Justice Marsha Ternus, some individuals accused of wrongdoing will save a few bucks.
The Uniform Bond Schedule allows an arrested person to be released pending an initial appearance before the court and sets bond fees associated with such a release. The fee schedule can be used if the person in question was not arrested on a forcible felony and if Iowa courts are not in session. The schedule is developed by the Judicial Council, a body made up of chief judges from Iowa’s eight judicial districts, the chief judge from the Court of Appeals and Ternus.
The updates on Thursday were the first in nearly nine years and, as such, reflect a few changes made to the Iowa Code during that time. Exempt offenses are any forcible felonies (as defined in code section 702.11), felonies related to the manufacture, delivery/intent to deliver or distribution of methamphetamine, and cases involving domestic abuse and stalking laws. Such offenses are not eligible for release without an appearance before the court.
The new schedule drastically reduces all bonding levels. Previously an individual arrested for selling or attempting to sell more than 500 grams of cocaine would be required to post $130,000 bond. Under the new schedule that same individual would post a $100,000 bond.
Lesser offenses — such as class D felonies and simple misdemeanors — also saw reduced bonds.
The reductions, says Rebecca Colton, assistant to the Chief Justice, are a reflection of the courts’ desire to reduce strain on jail facilities.
| Bond Schedule Feb. 19, 1999 |
Bond Schedule Aug. 2, 2007 |
|
| 124.401(1)(a) & (b) Class B Felony |
$130,000 | $100,000 |
| 124.401(1)(c) Class C Felony |
$65,000 | $50,000 |
| Other Class B Felony | $32,500 | $25,000 |
| Other Class C Felony | $13,000 | $10,000 |
| Class D Felony | $9,750 | $5,000 |
| Aggravated Misdemeanor | $6,550 | $2,000 |
| Serious Misdemeanor | $1,950 | $1,000 |
| Simple Misdemeanor (non-scheduled violation) |
$325 | $300 |
When court is in session, judges can exercise discretion when setting bond amounts. Persons arrested on multiple charges who are eligible for release while court is not in session will need to post bond for the highest offense, regardless of the number of equal or lesser charges.
The new schedule will take effect on Aug. 15.
Follow Lynda Waddington on Twitter
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter