Livingston County Judge denies restoration of bond for Rep. Jewell Jones

HOWELL, Mich. – The defense team for state Rep. Jewell Jones were unable to restore bond for the lawmaker Friday.

Jones had been behind bars for more than a month. Judge Michael Hatty said he wanted to err on the side of caution as Jones had already been accused of violating bond multiple times before.

His initial arrest came after a Michigan State Police trooper was alerted to a collision in April.

For all the media attention -- stemming from Jones’ lack of cooperation, his invoking the governor’s name, telling the officer’s he controlled police funding -- defense attorney Byron Nolan said the entire case should be thrown out because an arrest shouldn’t have even happened.

“You guys have seen the video, of course. Jewell Jones standing behind the ambulance talking to the EMS worker. So at that point, when he asks for his ID and he didn’t give it to him, he arrested him,” Nolan said. “Can you arrest somebody for not showing ID? That’s the question the judge has to answer.”

Jones was visibly disappointed when the bond ruling came in.

In Lansing, state business moved on without him. Jones has missed 34 votes so far.

“Of course his community, his residents -- like myself -- would like for him to to be on the job representing us,” Nolan said. “He’s not doing me any good being locked up in the Livingston County Jail.”

Jones is expected to return to court Nov. 4.

Previous coverage:

• State Rep. Jewell Jones to remain in Livingston County Jail ahead of trial
• ‘Common practice’ -- Rep. Jewell Jones’ explanation on bringing handcuff key into Livingston County Jail
• Did state police mishandle initial contact with Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones?
• Attorney defending Michigan State Rep. Jewell Jones withdraws from case at pretrial hearing
• Michigan State Rep. Jewell Jones to undergo mental health evaluation; attorney withdraws from case
• Speaker removes Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones from House committee assignments after ‘bizarre attempt to escape from jail’
• Sheriff: Michigan State Rep. Jewell Jones brought handcuffs key into jail with him
• Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones accused of violating bond for third time
• Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones avoids jail time after second bond violation
• ‘This was not a safe scene’ -- Michigan state Rep. to stand trial on drunk driving charges
• Michigan state Rep. Jewell Jones will stand trial on drunk driving charges
• Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones ordered to wear alcohol monitor amid bond dispute
• Video: Rep. Jewell Jones loudly argues with police as he’s booked at Livingston County Jail
• Attorney for Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones claims excessive force was used in arrest
• Dashcam video sheds new light on arrest of Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones
• MSP: Rep. Jewell Jones threatened to call Gov. Whitmer during arrest
• Police: Arrested Michigan lawmaker warned he’d call governor
• Michigan state Rep. Jewell Jones charged with drunk driving, resisting arrest
• Michigan state Rep. Jewell Jones charged in alleged drunk driving incident
• Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones ordered to wear alcohol monitor amid bond dispute