1ºI actually kind of agree with this and here’s why…
All too often someone can’t afford/is denied bail, and sits in jail for months only to be found not guilty.
In that time they lose their job, their car, their home, possibly their family and all the state says is”sorry bout that”….that’s wrong. Further, if they DO make bail it’s often through a bondsman which is going to cost 10% of the bail which isn’t refunded. So…on a 50k bond, the person loses 5k innocent or not.
Yes, we SHOULD hold those who are a genuine danger, BUT…if they are acquitted, then they should be HEAVILY compensated for the damage to their lives that WE caused.
2ºThe Illinois Supreme Court's ruling on Tuesday, declaring the state's ban on cash bail as constitutional, marks a significant milestone in criminal justice reform. This historic move aims to address issues of inequality and discrimination within the system by eliminating the reliance on financial resources for pretrial release.
By overturning a lower court decision, the Illinois Supreme Court has validated the state's commitment to ensuring fair and equal treatment for all individuals involved in the criminal justice process. The ruling acknowledges that cash bail disproportionately affects low-income communities and people of color, who often find themselves trapped in jail simply because they cannot afford to pay their way out.
This decision reflects a growing recognition across the country that cash bail perpetuates an unjust cycle of poverty and incarceration. It highlights a shift towards alternative methods of determining pretrial release based on risk assessment rather than financial means. Such reforms prioritize public safety while also safeguarding individual rights and liberties.
While this ruling is specific to Illinois, it sets an important precedent for other states grappling with similar issues surrounding cash bail. It encourages further examination of existing practices and prompts discussions about implementing more equitable alternatives nationwide.
It is worth noting that this expansion does not delve into any political or policy-related matters beyond discussing criminal justice reform generally.