Judge orders PR-bond evaluation for Juan Alberto Martinez after defense cites mother's cancer

The court ordered a pretrial-release (PR) bond evaluation for defendant Juan Alberto Martinez after defense counsel said Martinez is indigent and his mother was recently diagnosed with cancer.

At a bond-reduction hearing defense counsel told the court Martinez had limited resources and asked the court to consider a PR bond. Martinez told the court, "my mother was just diagnosed with cancer a week ago," explaining a desire to assist his mother while the case proceeds. The defense said Martinez has no bank accounts, real property, or meaningful funds to post a secured bond.

The judge responded by directing probation and the clerk to have Martinez evaluated for a PR bond and to bring him back once the evaluation is complete. The judge noted that PR bond fees are normally assessed (the transcript records a typical PR-bond fee of 3 percent) but can be waived by the court when a defendant lacks funds.

The judge instructed the probation office to complete the evaluation promptly and directed the clerk to recall the matter for further action after the evaluation. Defense counsel said the evaluation would allow the court to determine whether a release on personal recognizance is appropriate given Martinez's financial circumstances and family needs.