(BUZZ FEED) Claudia Koerner, August 29, 2018 — California became the first state to end its cash bail system on Tuesday with a law that some criminal justice activists fear may do more harm than good.

The California Money Bail Reform Act, which will end the practice of releasing suspects from jail as they await trial if they put up money as a surety they’ll return for their court dates, was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown and takes effect in October 2019. Under the new law, people awaiting trial will be jailed only if they are considered a risk to public safety or likely to miss their future court dates.

“Today, California reforms its bail system so that rich and poor alike are treated fairly,” Brown said in a statement.

via California Just Became The First State To End Cash Bail For People Awaiting Trial.