N.J. counties’ challenge to new bail system dismissed

An effort by New Jersey’s counties to throw out the state’s new bail reform efforts has been struck down.

The Council on Local Mandates granted the state’s motion to dismiss the effort by the New Jersey Association of Counties on Wednesday. The board voted 4-3 to dismiss the challenge.

The state’s bail system was overhauled at the start of the year to rate suspects to determine their security risks, drastically cutting down on cash bail.

The group representing the state’s 21 counties said that the change creates additional costs without setting up a way for them to recoup them without raising taxes.

The law took effect on Jan. 1 although counties and courts have had since 2014 to plan for its implementation.