Jackson County Circuit Court recently hosted members of the Southern Illinois Learning in Retirement program to see how the SAFE-T Act is applied in Illinois courts.
Presiding Judge Christy W. Solverson welcomed the groups, led by retired SIU law professor Suzanne Schmitz, and explained the new pretrial system that ended cash bail in 2023. Visitors observed detention hearings, reviewed pretrial reports, and learned how judges decide release conditions when the state’s attorney requests detention.
They also met with Judge Steven Bost and Court Operations Director Patti Clark for additional Q&A. Participants said the experience gave them valuable insight into the justice system.
