We Need Bail Reform

Justice in this country is based on how much money you have. If you have enough bail money, you get a get out of jail pass; if not enough money you can rot in jail for a very long time even before a trial. We see it happening in all those wealthy sex offenders like Harvey Weinstein, Epstein and Kraft all out and about. Even the wealthy real estate guy who probably killed the mother of his 5 kids is out because they all had millions to put up in bail money. Kraft didn't even get charged for his crimes. There is a price for poverty.

75% of people in jail are legally innocent. Most of them are awaiting trial and cannot afford bail. The statement is that you are innocent until proven guilty but in reality it is the exact opposite. You are presumed guilty until you can produce bail money to get you out of jail immediately. Many times after months in jail folks are acquitted of all charges and released. But those months or even 2-3 years are critical. You can't work, lose your job for non attendance, are behind on your bills and can ruin your life. The freedom of any individual is based on how much cash you have available if you are accused and arrested for a supposed crime. Should there be a price tag on our freedom?
We at least need more "bail navigators" with defendants who can't afford bail. Without bail money the system just keeps broke people broke and in jail. People should be in jail because they are a menace to society and not because they are poor. Philadelphia's District Attorney Larry Krasner is a former civil rights lawyer and critic of the cash bail system and he thinks that the entire bail process should be eliminated from our courts system. To assume that if you have bail money means that you will not commit crimes again is just nonsense. Last year 7 district attorneys campaigned on bail reform and won. In November 2020 California will be the first state to vote on abolishing its cash bail system.