The Arizona Supreme Court has overturned an amendment which says bail must be denied when someone is accused of certain sexual offenses. Now, the state can no longer deny accused rapists the opportunity to seek bail.
In a 4-to-3 decision, the justices decided that defendants are entitled to be released pending trial unless there is a “legitimate and compelling” purpose.
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery responded to the ruling by saying it was wrong for the court to overturn the entire 2002 voter-approved state constitutional amendment.
"The Supreme Court has decided that some citizens' initiatives are worth more deference than others. And when it comes to this it seems they are hypersensitive to federal court rulings in this area."
Montgomery added what's also missing from Friday's majority ruling is any mention of the rights of victims.
