Afternoon Briefs: California voters keep cash bail system; Colorado voters back popular vote movement
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California voters reject bid to end cash bail
Voters in California rejected a ballot measure to end cash bail in the state, but that might not be the end of the matter. A pending case before the California Supreme Court argues that judges should be required to consider a defendant’s ability to pay. (The Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle)
Colorado voters back popular vote movement
Colorado voters have passed a ballot measure agreeing to assign the state’s presidential electors to the winner of the popular vote nationwide—if enough states make the same pledge. With Colorado in the National Popular Vote Compact, states representing 196 electoral votes have made the pledge. The number is 74 electoral votes short of the number needed to win the presidency and to put the compact into effect. (The Denver Post, CPR News)
Judge is accused of molesting 12-year-old boy
Judge Michael Schechterly of the magisterial district court in Perry County, Pennsylvania, has been charged with the indecent assault of a 12-year-old boy. Investigators say Schechterly had sleepovers with children at his court office and his home and had contacts with children through a church program known as the Royal Rangers. Schechterly led the program as “Commander Mike.” The assault of the boy allegedly happened at the judge’s home in 2012. (Law360, PennLive.com, Pennsylvania attorney general news release, the criminal complaint)
