An Illinois man, Erik Chandler Jr, who is facing multiple charges including aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, endangering the life or health of a child, and resisting a peace officer, allegedly boasted to someone waiting for him during his arrest that he would be out soon thanks to the state's recently enacted Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act.
The incident took place on December 27 in Joliet, a town located approximately 45 miles southwest of Chicago. According to FOX32, an officer in an unmarked vehicle noticed Chandler driving with heavily tinted windows and followed him into a parking lot. It was then discovered that Chandler had an outstanding warrant. Notably, there was a woman and a child present in the car as well.
Chandler, however, refused to comply with the officer's commands and instead fled the scene. It took authorities a week to apprehend him, finally locating and arresting him on January 4 at the Joliet Animal Control building.
Shortly after being taken into custody, Chandler allegedly expressed confidence that he would be released soon. True to his claim, he was indeed released and allowed to walk free until his next court appearance on January 24, when he will be arraigned.
The SAFE-T Act, which was signed into law in 2021, encompasses comprehensive reforms that impact various aspects of the criminal justice system, including pre-arrest diversion, policing, pretrial procedures, sentencing, and corrections. Notably, the act abolished cash bail, ensuring that risk assessment alone cannot be the sole basis for detention. Additionally, it introduced changes to several pretrial release procedures, such as release on own recognizance, warrant alternatives, and conditions of release, including electronic monitoring and home confinement revocation, modification, and sanctions.
While Chandler's alleged statement about his imminent release may have been influenced by the provisions of the SAFE-T Act, it is important to note that the act does not guarantee automatic release for individuals facing serious charges. The ultimate determination of release or detention is still subject to judicial discretion and the specific circumstances of each case.
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