In the near future, we intend to introduce legislation to require judges and magisterial district judges to receive and consider a defendant’s complete criminal history before making a bail decision.

The tragic killing of Dr. Idris Evans, a pediatric critical care physician at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, has raised serious concerns about whether judges responsible for making bail decisions have a complete picture of a defendant’s criminal history, particularly offenses committed outside of Pennsylvania. The individual accused of murdering Dr. Evans was free on nonmonetary bail in a pending burglary case despite a reported criminal history that included recent arrests in Florida for allegedly assaulting a woman and attacking sheriff’s deputies.

A bail decision is only as sound as the information used to make it. Prior convictions, pending charges, outstanding warrants, and a history of violating release conditions can provide critical information regarding the danger a defendant poses to victims and the community. The information should not be overlooked simply because an offense occurred in another county or state.

Our legislation would require that a complete and current criminal history report, including Pennsylvania, out-of-state, and federal records, be obtained and provided to the judge or magisterial district judge before bail is set or modified. The report would identify prior convictions and pending charges, their dispositions when available, outstanding warrants, and probation, parole, or pretrial release status.

Judges must have the information necessary to make informed decisions that protect the public. Pennsylvania families deserve a bail system in which a defendant’s history is thoroughly examined before release is authorized.

Please join us in cosponsoring this important legislation.