Georgia could require cash bail for 30 more crimes, including many misdemeanors

The Fulton County Jail is shown April 11, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Kate Brumback, File)

Georgia, once a self-proclaimed leader in criminal justice reform, is sliding a little further toward its old lock-’em-up ways.

State senators voted 30-17 on Thursday to require cash bail for 30 additional crimes, including 18 that are always or often misdemeanors, leaving Senate Bill 63 only one House vote from passage.

The measure also seeks to limit charitable bail funds or even individuals from bailing multiple people out of jail, reserving that ability only to those who meet legal requirements to be bail bond companies.