• About AIA
    • About AIA
    • AIA’s Executive Team
    • Agent Testimonials
  • News
  • Bail Bond Resources
    • Become a Bail Agent
    • Bail Bond FAQs
    • Bail Research Library
    • State by State Bail Directory
    • COVID-19
  • Other Bonds
  • Contact

News

You are here: Home / Bail Agents Show Solidarity in San Francisco – Update on Buffin v. San Francisco

Bail Agents Show Solidarity in San Francisco – Update on Buffin v. San Francisco

January 26, 2016Posted by Eric Granofin News

Below is a statement from Jeff Clayton, Policy Director for the American Bail Coalition, on the latest results of the US District Court hearing on Buffin v. San Francisco.

January 26, 2016
Statement on Motions Hearing, Buffin

Today, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California conducted a hearing on several motions filed in Buffin v. San Francisco, a lawsuit challenging the use of money bail schedules and by extension the American Bail System. In the hearing, Judge Gonzalez Rogers rejected the Plaintiffs’ initial filings because the documents were insufficient in as much they failed to state a claim which would warrant granting any relief whatsoever.

In rejecting the claims made by the Plaintiffs as insufficient, Judge Gonzalez Rogers granted the City of San Francisco’s motion for a more definite statement of matters contained in the complaint, and required the Plaintiffs to file a new complaint within 30 days or otherwise face dismissal.

Judge Gonzalez Rogers also denied Plaintiffs’ motions both for preliminary injunction and class certification. Both were denied due to the complete lack of merit in the Plaintiffs’ initial complaint. She also granted the State of California’s motion to dismiss the State as a defendant based on the doctrine of sovereign immunity.

In a clear expression of frustration, Judge Gonzalez Rogers pressed the Plaintiffs’ attorneys on their theory of the case, continually saying she understood the big picture argument that Plaintiffs were attempting to make but did not understand the legal analysis that would allow them to get the relief they were seeking. Due to the general and unclear theory being advanced by the Plaintiffs, at one point the Judge indicated she did not think there was a valid legal theory upon which relief could be granted, and even went as far as to inquire of Plaintiffs’ counsel whether they had ever practiced criminal law in California or understood how the California criminal court system functioned.

In a show of solidarity, representatives from the American Bail Coalition, California Bail Agents Association, and the Golden State Bail Association attended the hearing together. The California Bail Agents Association’s motion to intervene was denied, but it was only denied because it was premature—premature because the Judge said the initial complaint was so deficient that there was presently no live controversy in which CBAA’s attorneys might engage. CBAA’s motion is still pending, but will only be taken up by the Court if Plaintiffs submit a new complaint that overcomes the deficiencies indicated by Judge and which survives a motion to dismiss.

While this is not the end of this case, today’s hearing is a win because the Plaintiffs’ legal theory finally met its first test on the merits, which it did not survive.

Comments

comments

Share in social networks

Click here to cancel reply.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent
Popular
Social Justice vs. Criminal Justice: The Need For Balance
Social Justice vs. Criminal Justice: The Need For Balance

One of the most critical aspects of managing any form…

‘Black Mamas’ Bail Out in LA, National Demand for Bail Reform
‘Black Mamas’ Bail Out in LA, National Demand for Bail Reform

Maybe the Essie Justice Group and the Los Angeles County…

Post-Conviction Early Release Booklet
Post-Conviction Early Release Booklet

A booklet outlining valuable information on conditional post-conviction that contains…

‘Black Mamas’ Bail Out in LA, National Demand for Bail Reform
‘Black Mamas’ Bail Out in LA, National Demand for Bail Reform

Maybe the Essie Justice Group and the Los Angeles County…

Bail Reform: Beauty in the Eye of the Reformer
Bail Reform: Beauty in the Eye of the Reformer

BEHIND THE PAPER WITH ERIC GRANOF If you ask anyone…

Attorney General Bonta Announces Felony Charges Against Members of Statewide Organized Retail Theft Ring
Attorney General Bonta Announces Felony Charges Against Members of Statewide Organized Retail Theft Ring

Is Rob Bonta getting tough on crime? We don’t think…

Contact Us

1 Baxter Way, Suite 130, Calabasas, CA 91362

(800) 935-2245

E-Mail: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BailInsights

Latest Tweets

AIA Surety
Follow me
301 days ago
315 days ago

Recent Blog Posts

‘Black Mamas’ Bail Out in LA, National Demand for Bail Reform
‘Black Mamas’ Bail Out in LA, National Demand for Bail Reform
June 09,2022 - 7:45 am

© Copyright 2005-2023 AIA Surety All Rights Reserved | 800.935.2245

  • About AIA
  • Bail Resources
  • Contact
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Become an Agent
  • Accessibility
Skip to content
Open toolbar

Accessibility

  • Increase Text
  • Decrease Text
  • Grayscale
  • High Contrast
  • Negative Contrast
  • Light Background
  • Links Underline
  • Readable Font
  • Reset
  • Help