Santa Clara County explores $0 bail to reduce jail population in public forum

The County of Santa Clara Public Safety and Justice Committee convened on June 25, 2025, to discuss ongoing strategies aimed at safely reducing the jail population. This meeting was part of a series of discussions focused on effective alternatives to incarceration, with a particular emphasis on the concept of $0 bail.

The session began with a presentation from the District Attorney's office, led by David Angel, following an introduction by Deputy County Executive Casey Halkin. The committee highlighted that the $0 bail initiative was initially implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Judicial Council of California issuing a statewide emergency order in April 2020. This order allowed individuals charged with most misdemeanors and certain felonies to be released without monetary bail, a measure that was extended locally until July 2022.

Halkin presented data showing that prior to the pandemic, the jail population in Santa Clara County exceeded 3,000. The implementation of $0 bail led to a significant decrease in the jail population, dropping by approximately 1,000 individuals during its enforcement. Although the population has seen a gradual increase since the expiration of $0 bail, it remains lower than pre-pandemic levels. As of last week, the jail population stood at 2,792, only 40 individuals more than on the last day of $0 bail.

The presentation also noted that the majority of the current jail population consists of felony unsentenced individuals, with ongoing collaboration between the District Attorney's office, the Public Defender's office, and the courts helping to address the backlog of cases exacerbated by the pandemic. The committee acknowledged the importance of alternatives to incarceration and diversion programs in maintaining a lower jail population.

The meeting included a snapshot of the jail population, indicating that approximately 85% of inmates are accused of felonies, while 15% are held on misdemeanor charges. The committee recognized the potential for improvement in managing the misdemeanor population, particularly those involved in domestic violence and DUI cases.

Following the presentations, the committee opened the floor for public comments and discussions, inviting further input from various stakeholders involved in the justice system. The meeting underscored the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies in Santa Clara County to address jail population concerns and explore effective strategies for reform.