NYU News: Arguments Against New York’s Cash Bail Reforms Are Dated

“But bail has little effect on the likelihood of defendants returning to court. After the Bronx Defenders bailed out 150 people, 95% of their clients attended every court appearance, and almost 50% of the cases were dismissed entirely. The high return rate fundamentally undermines the supposed purpose of bail — incentivizing defendants to show up to their court dates because they have a financial stake in their appearance. Furthermore, the fact that half the charges were dropped indicates that prosecutors were overcharging the defendants and hoping their inability to post bail would induce guilty pleas.”

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