The Bail Project

You hear “you have the right to a lawyer” all the time, but what really happens when you don’t have one and can’t afford one? With how critical legal representation is, you would think the criminal justice system would uphold this right, but the answer may shock you.

Today is the 10 year anniversary of the killing of Michael Brown by police officers in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was 18-years-old when he died. His tragic death forced the nation towards a reckoning with the systemic violence that is ingrained within our criminal justice system, infiltrating everything from policing to bail setting practices. As we reflect on this tragic loss of life that became a pivotal moment in a larger movement, it’s clear that the conversations and demands for change incited a decade ago are as essential now as they were then. We must continue our work to confront the enduring inequalities that plague our criminal justice system – from policing to bail and beyond.

Very few countries rely on a cash-centric bail system – and the U.S. should take notes. Money should never come between someone and their access to equal justice. See how the U.S. compares to other countries’ pretrial system and what we can learn from them.

If you’ve ever wanted to be on a billboard, now’s your chance! We want your opinions on bail reform and we’re giving you a platform to share them on. Connect with your community and share a powerful message to politicians in your state. For your chance to be featured and to learn more, visit realbailreform.com.

If Harris did donate to a bail fund, is that so bad? We think not. Harris's entry into the presidential race has inspired vitriol and misinformation about charitable bail funds. We're setting the record straight.

With the rise of AI in search engines and beyond, you may be surprised to learn that our own criminal justice system uses a form of AI too. Have pretrial algorithms made the bail setting process better, worse, or the same? The answer may surprise you.

"By limiting the use of cash bail to exceptional cases, Detroit has joined more than a dozen other jurisdictions across the country that have reduced its reliance on cash bail. In not a single one of these jurisdictions has there been an uptick in crime." Chief Judge William McConico has seen firsthand in Michigan’s 36th District Court, one of the busiest court systems in the country, that bail doesn't make communities any safer.

Did you know that people held in pretrial detention are more likely to fail to appear than those who are released immediately? Explore the success of New York City’s Supervised Release! Miriam Popper, former executive director, talks about the program that centers community support over incarceration for those awaiting trial.

Melody’s story reminds us that there’s unique and creative ways of supporting a mission you care about. Her video submission prompted the Project for Awesome community to vote for The Bail Project to receive a $37K grant! Read about how supporters like Melody help to bring people home and join our #FreedomFunders community today!

There is a difference, but that’s not the only confusing comparison in the pretrial justice system. First time hearing of *pretrial* incarceration? Never understood recidivism? Want to know what a bail schedule is? Dive into our all-in-one resource of bail-related terms.