Bail reforms are changes in policies, terms, and conditions in the criminal and justice system. The most recent ones in the US is the abolishment of cash bails on most non-violent and misdemeanor felony offenses (SpectrumNews, 2019). Most states, including; California, New York, Illinois, joined the wave of other jurisdictions and states in getting rid of cash bails (Wykstra, 2018). This essay will precisely give an opinionated response to the degree of agreement with the new reforms and the factors that make these reforms tenable or untenable. My position on the new bail terms is that the US criminal justice system is just getting better. I support the bail reforms that disregard the use of cash to bail suspects. On a scale of 10, I rate the changes with a 7. Finally, policymakers have come to the rescue of the common man who has suffered under the harsh conditions of prolonged pretrial incarceration if they cannot pay the hefty bail charges imposed on them. Decongestion of US jails is another commendable proposal, which has dropped by a whopping 40% in recent times in New York City (Rempel and Rodriguez, 2020). The new bail reforms present risks to the public and the criminal justice system. Some criminals, like robbers and burglars released without monetary bail, can repeat their offenses, defeating the essence of bail. Someone may propose that the suspects should be kept in custody (Pappalardo, 2020). Besides, the public will lose trust in the criminal and justice system if repeat offenders have a chance to freedom through the application of bail. The bail reforms are sustainable, as evidenced by the results that have been posted after the implementation in April 2019. One factor that has made these changes tenable is the use of Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT), which is offered to a defendant by the police and allowed to appear in court on a later date rather than held in custody for 24 hours or more. Moreover, the time factor has played an essential role in presenting defendants for trial. While suspects would stay for a prolonged period waiting to appear before the court, they can now be charged as soon as they are arrested based on the cases waiting in line. The courts have accelerated case conclusion timetables since the new reforms were implemented. However, the process looks untenable because of the threat that released defendants pose on the public (KatalCenter, 2019). As much as the bail system is hailed as revolutionary in the country's justice system, it has its drawbacks, too. The bail system has transformed the country's justice system into a two-tiered system. A majority of the people in jails, more than half a million not convicted, are in custody because they cannot afford the bails imposed. This group of suspects stands a high chance of conviction than if there was no bond assigned to them because they take plea bargains to be released from jail whether or not they have perpetrated the crime. Likewise, the bond system confers a huge burden on low-income earners, especially on people of color. Thus, the bond system essentially criminalizes poverty and play a part in perpetuating inequality in American society. In conclusion, I would say the new bail reforms are monumental and indicate a new age of pretrial incarceration, cash bail requirements, and the criminal justice system. The changes may have demerits, but
References
KatalCenter, K., 2019. Making Sense Of Bail Reform In NYS, Part 2 . [online] Katal Center for
Health, Equity, and Justice. Available at: https://www.katalcenter.org/bailreform_nys2 [Accessed 15 July 2020].
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LLP, P., 2020. The Pros And Cons: Did New York’S Bail Reforms Go Too Far? . [online]
Pappalardo & Pappalardo LLP. Available at: <http://pappalardolaw.com/2019/10/bail-reforms-pros-cons/> [Accessed 15 July 2020].
Rempel, M., and Rodriguez, K., 2020. Bail Reform Revisited: The Impact Of New York’S Amended
Law . [online] Center for Court Innovation. Available at: <https://www.courtinnovation.org/publications/bail-revisited-NYS> [Accessed 15 July 2020].
SpectrumNews, S., 2019. The Changes New Yorkers Will See Because Of The State Budget .
[online] Ny1.com. Available at: <https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2019/04/02/new-yorkers-changes-state-budget> [Accessed 15 July 2020].
Wykstra, S., 2018. Want To Fix The Criminal Justice System? Start By Getting Rid Of Bail .
[online] Vox. Available at: <https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2018/10/17/17955306/bail-reform-criminal-justice-inequality> [Accessed 15 July 2020].
