But it’s still wildly unfair. Imagine getting a $10k bond, you either need $10k cash you can part with temporarily (assuming you show up and are innocent) or far more likely you need to pay $1k to a bondsman that you won’t get back. Someone living paycheck to paycheck might not have the savings and so they either pay a poor tax or spend some time in jail.
But for the rich, they always have the funds, or someone willing to loan it for a lot less than 10-15%. And it’s rarely set high enough to be a significant deterrent.
Illinois just became the first state to eliminate cash bail, because you’re either a flight/violation risk or you’re not, money shouldn’t tip the scale.
But it’s still wildly unfair. Imagine getting a $10k bond, you either need $10k cash you can part with temporarily (assuming you show up and are innocent) or far more likely you need to pay $1k to a bondsman that you won’t get back. Someone living paycheck to paycheck might not have the savings and so they either pay a poor tax or spend some time in jail.
But for the rich, they always have the funds, or someone willing to loan it for a lot less than 10-15%. And it’s rarely set high enough to be a significant deterrent.
Illinois just became the first state to eliminate cash bail, because you’re either a flight/violation risk or you’re not, money shouldn’t tip the scale.