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ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: Most people in the U.S. who are being held in jail have not been convicted of a crime. Instead, they are awaiting trial. For some, that wait can take weeks or even years if they can t afford to pay a cash bail to be released. That practice is controversial. While a few states have taken steps to change their cash bail system, Illinois will become the first to ditch it entirely. NPR s Cheryl Corley reports.
CHERYL CORLEY, BYLINE: Critics of cash bail have a name for it. They call it the poor people s tax, leaving those who can t come up with the money for bail stuck in jail while they wait for their case to be heard. Fifty-seven-year-old Flonard Wrencher says he knows all about that.
By Kevin Bessler - Illinois Radio Network
With Illinois set to become the only state in the nation to eliminate cash bail, those behind the legislation said it could be a model for other states.
The bail provision, known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, was one of many criminal justice reforms that were part of a sweeping justice reform bill passed by the state legislature earlier this month.
Under the Pretrial Fairness Act, a judge can still detain someone pretrial if they are charged with specific felony offenses, such as murder or domestic battery. A judge can also detain someone if they believe an individual is likely to skip court.
Normal, IL, USA / www.cities929.com
Jan 25, 2021 4:55 PM
(The Center Square) – With Illinois set to become the only state in the nation to eliminate cash bail, those behind the legislation said it could be a model for other states.
The bail provision, known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, was one of many criminal justice reforms that were part of a sweeping justice reform bill passed by the state legislature earlier this month.
Under the Pretrial Fairness Act, a judge can still detain someone pretrial if they are charged with specific felony offenses, such as murder or domestic battery. A judge can also detain someone if they believe an individual is likely to skip court.
“You seldom see people sitting in jail for low-level crimes just because they can’t make bail.”
(Citation needed)
Tying freedom to wealth is one of those incredibly dumb systems that we’re just used to.
Good for Crespo in explaining the need for reform.
Two counter-points not mentioned in the above citations.
First, sometimes the cash posted is the only source of restitution. No cash bond means no recompense for the victim. Second, defense lawyers have pointed out many drug suspects are better off in custody. Cut them loose and they’ll go back out and overdose.
Carlos Ghosn jumped 1billion yen bail. No amount can make someone go to trial, especially if they think they’re going to lose.
Cash bail debate amplifies in Illinois as bill heads to governor by Kevin Bessler, The Center Square | January 26, 2021 12:00 PM Print this article
With Illinois set to become the only state in the nation to eliminate cash bail, those behind the legislation said it could be a model for other states.
The bail provision, known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, was one of many criminal justice reforms that were part of a sweeping justice reform bill passed by the state legislature earlier this month.
Under the Pretrial Fairness Act, a judge can still detain someone pretrial if they are charged with specific felony offenses, such as murder or domestic battery. A judge can also detain someone if they believe an individual is likely to skip court.