A federal judge temporarily blocked part of a Georgia law on Friday that only allows people or organizations to post bonds three times a year if they do not meet the criteria for bail bond companies. U.S. District Judge Victoria Marie Calvert blocked part of Senate Bill 63 for 14 days before it could take effect on July 1, according to The Associated Press. The judge told lawyers to offer arguments on whether it should be stayed until a lawsuit over the legislation is resolved.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center filed the lawsuit last week on behalf of Barred Business Foundation, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that facilitates campaigns to pay cash bail, and two Athens residents who run a charitable bail fund in association with their church. The lawsuit alleges that the law's restriction on bail funds are unconstitutional and requests that the judge block it.
Supporters of the measure say that well-meaning groups should not have an issue with following the same rules that bail bond companies must adhere to.
State prosecutors have said that some 'Stop Cop City' protesters had the Atlanta Solidarity Fund's phone number written on their bodies, which they pointed to as evidence that the protesters planned to participate in illegal activity. Last year, three of the bail fund's leaders were charged with charity fraud. They are among 61 people indicted on racketeering charges. The Associated Press contributed to this report.