THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY DELTA COUNTY PROSECUTOR WICKMAN ON WEDNESDAY.
The Prosecutor’s Office understands there is a lot of hurt and concern in our community. However, it is important for the community to understand that bond is set by the Court, usually by a Judge.
Setting bond is NOT the role of the Prosecutor’s Office.
When setting bond, the Court focuses on the person’s record of showing up for Court and dangerousness to the community. Unfortunately, sometimes drug dealing is only considered to be a minor “danger” in the eyes of the Court. The Prosecutor’s Office can and does advocate for cash bonds on all drug related matters. However, we are also faced with tremendous roadblocks in obtaining cash bonds on cases that we think rightfully deserve cash bonds, so we share in your frustration when bond is not set in an amount that we believe to be high enough, or with conditions that we do not believe to be strong enoug
For example, just today, on February 19, 2025, the Delta County District Court refused to place a cash bond on a defendant who was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver 208 grams of Methamphetamine. This was done over the Prosecutor’s strenuous objection and request for a cash bond. It was also revealed that this defendant was residing with someone he was prohibited from communicating. Despite the fact that the communication between the defendant and the individual in question substantially jeopardizes the People’s ability to prosecute this case, The Court allowed for this communication to continue.
In addition, we cannot advocate for bond based on uncharged allegations, or possible charges that may be forthcoming after further investigation. And we cannot charge individuals with crimes unless we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that that individual committed the charged offense.
The Prosecutor’s Office works diligently with law enforcement to investigate any and all potential charges, and the safety of our community is our top priority.
However, again, the decisions made regarding bond are beyond the control of the Prosecutor’s Office and are often over our objection.
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