re: Chris Hayes 'rant' about bail (and Zelden, of NY,)

[elleng]

The purpose of bail is to help ensure that a person accused of a crime does not leave town or miss specified trial dates in court. The accused must pay a certain amount of money that is held as collateral until the person's case is over.


Sep 9, 2019 — Bail is not a fine. It is not supposed to be used as punishment. The purpose of bail is simply to ensure that defendants will appear for trial.

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/bail/

This should have been mentioned, in fact should ALWAYS be mentioned.

[qazplm135]

1. In a modern era

is there no other way to ensure that someone will show up for trial than setting bail so high that they remain in jail for a year or two in many cases?

Why not simply require weekly check-ins, the missing of which will result in an arrest warrant?

Why not limit bail to rape and murder and other crimes of that level of severity?

How does bail work as anything other than a punishment when the accused is poor? Or indigent?

[elleng]

2. The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights

and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country. >>>

https://www.aclu.org/issues/smart-justice/bail-reform