Laser pointed at police helicopter pilots. Bail set at $100

That's just bail. The average going rate for federal criminal charges (from the FAA) is a $5,000 fine. Then they are usually hit with federal civil charges, also with a common number of $5,000. Many states also have laws against this, and they like to charge a few thousand in fines as well. They'll be paying the Dept of Treasury on a payment plan for a long time.

There is a serious miss on understanding the difference between bail and case’s finding.

Bail is not a fine. These two clowns will have their day in court and could be fined, serve time - or both. But the comments saying they were “only fined $100” or “only $100” are not connected with the reality of the trouble these two guys are in.

@DonDengler Bond is not punishment! There's plenty of room for discussion (or argument!) about what is appropriate bond in any given case, but punishment isn't meted out until sentencing. Bond is meant to be reasonably sure the accused (not convicted, yet!) shows up to answer the charge.

...man, this story went sideways fast...!

These days, there is rarely bail set. Crackhead arsonists can get out with zero bail if their mommy cries a little.

Another factor to keep in mind when you go to vote next month. While we pay a lot of attention to typical political races it would serve you well to pay attention to races involving district attorneys, county prosecutors, attorneys general, etc. The "soft on criminals" candidates are not working very well for this country. YOU can change that.

only 100? at least add a 0 or in my opinion, two 0s.

Pointing lasers at airplanes is not a Federal crime?

Really? I guess the judge is pretty well disconnected with federal laws.

If you don't like the new normal then vote them out in the election in the next 5 weeks.

Ok this post has gone from aviation into the cesspool of your politics. Starting with D Rotten going to Frank, Don, David, Joel, linbb and whoever else wanting to lower their standards. I'm now tired of reading. This is aviation and obviously some people have toooo much time on their hands.
Bail, as said several times, IS JUST AN ATTEMPT THAT THOSE CHARGED WILL APPEAR. If they don't then an arrest warrant will be issued. I do agree that maybe a zero should have been added to the $100 but unless you were in the courtroom then it's a guessing game by, obviously some in this thread. Judges are supposed to be nonpartisan and follow the law. They are people are not always perfect but hopefully they try. Same can't be said in this thread. THIS IS AVIATION NOT YOUR POLITICAL CESSPOOL. I do not live in the US and I'm a conservative (republican in your world) but I'm NOT stupid.

This vermin tried to blind a pilot flying an aircraft so the pilot would crash and die. This is attempted murder.

Now now no politics

George Soros and Open Society installed prosecutor and judge? This incident demanded much more than this.

It's time some of you folks wake up and realize not everybody that pulls a stupid illegal trick is because of the President.

Laser pointer v. high powered laser. Both descriptions of the laser used are in the article. Which was it?

That bail does seem pretty low for potentially blinding a pilot or at the least, permanent eye damage and jeopardizing his career. This isn't just pranking, this is serious crime. But being that it's Houston, I'm not surprised the bail is so low. They seem to be plagued with the same catch and release problems of other cities that lean to the liberal side of the political spectrum. Read the comment in the original article from the locals. They don't seem too impressed with the bail either.

As Ron White would say, you can't fix stupid.

Bail is the only assurance that the Accused will show up for the next court date. $100 for such a serious Federal Crime just boggles the mind. But since the charge(s) were not Federal but at a local level. Judges don't understand that BLINDNESS can result from laser pointers, a temporary blindness results though which could have caused a crash. Judges must be educated on technology besides the law. Too bad that judges sometimes don't understand either.

What would the judge do if he was the pilot and pointed by the same high-powered laser pointer?

By golly Dengler is correct!! Put the blame where it belongs.. On the President. He caused those locals to be silly. What a closed mind...

$100 would not stop anyone from running or possibly even repeating the crime . Stupid judges!!!

Here we go again. Liberal on crime. That is no punishment. Sick of this Biden era destruction of the United States of America.

Let's face it bail amount is a joke here. Sadly these judges will never fight crime from the sky and risk injury and death. Sitting in a court room with an armed police officer put the judge in no danger.

Name and shame the judge or this is fake news and never happened.

Where’s Jackie? Hahahahaha

It is loud and clear that the responses on F’Aware are non working , old men. With minds are lame as their hero Joey B. I’m done with all of this nonsense.

Wonder what political party the Judge belongs to?