Bail Fund

History

Being held during the pre-trail period can have disastrous impacts on a person’s life. The pre-trail period can last days, months or even a year. For many poor people held on minor charges, incarceration of even a few days can have serious impact on their families, housing, employment, and health. People can be fired from jobs, evicted from public housing and lose their spots in shelters, public benefits, students miss classes and parents can lose custody of their children.

Longer times may result in individuals pleading guilty when they are innocent in order to be released. Data has shown that being able to address legal charges while in the community rant than in jail result in better legal outcomes for the defendant. Helping people post even a small amount for bail can have lasting positive impacts on a person’s life.

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NPR has done a three part series on the stark realities people who can't make bail face and some of the harsh inequities of the bail system. Listen here.