From a People Against Injustice Leaflet:
BAIL/BOND
What happens when a person gets arrested? If there is no warrant for
arrest with a bond already set, police can set bond or issue a promise to
appear. If the arrestee doesn't get out, a bail commissioner comes to the
lock up to interview and make a recommendation. Bail commissioners have a
list of criteria and a point system. Criteria include job, family, other
community connections, economic situation, seriousness of the charges,
prior history of behavior out on bond, any prior failures to appear, etc.
What is the purpose of bond? It is to ensure the appearance of the defendant in court, and the bail is supposed to be no greater amount than necessary for this purpose. It is not supposed to be a punishment, given before conviction. If the safety of anyone is an issue, conditions of release can be placed on the defendant.
What is actually happening in New Haven? Outrageously high bonds are being given ($250,00, $500,00 and more). Defendants are either coerced into plea bargains (often for crimes they did not commit), or if people without money opt for a trial (which is their right), they will wait in prison for months if they can't come up with the bail. These pretrial detainees should have been presumed innocent! Many defendants who are not a flight risk are sitting in prison just because they are poor. People who should have been released on a promise to appear are being held on bonds they can't possibly afford to pay. If a poor person does manage to pay a bondsman 7%-10% of the bail amount, it is very unfair since they don't get the money back by appearing in court.
SLAM has been helping PAI with this campaign by organizing students to observe court and record their findings. Find out more