Jailed For Years Without Trial, Kills Himself

[Saz]

[Medius]

[Saz]

The whole bail thing strikes me as unconstitutional anyway. The way the eighth amendment is interpreted makes literally no sense to me. How anyone can be forced to spend time in prison for a non-violent charge, because they can't afford bail, is just beyond me. That, to me, is the definition of excessive bail. Even the current legal standard of a figure that is reasonable to ensure the defendant shows up at trial is absurd. It fails to take into account that people of lesser means have a higher marginal utility, meaning each dollar matters more to them than a millionaire. It also seems to ignore the fact that we have ample methods, from ankle bracelets to statistics that can better predict flight risk. It's just disgusting that it's routine to hear stories of people spending 2-3 months behind bars because they can't meet a $5,000 bail. And even a few days in jail will ruin the life of anyone working a minimum wage job or tending for children who the state will take away.

The supreme court could adjust the standard if it wanted. If someone is going to spend the night in jail over a non-violent charge because they can't afford bail, then that bail is excessive Have the court bring it down to a penny if they have to and slap an ankle monitor on them if there is truly concern about flight risk. But let them make it to work the next morning, let them put their kids into bed in the evening. These are people who have been convicted of nothing and are COMPLETELY INNOCENT in the eyes of the law. The only reason to deprive them of their liberty or to ruin their life over a charge against them is if it is a violent one and there is a risk that the person will harm someone else if not held. And even those individuals should have the absolute right to make it into a courtroom within a set time period, 10 days or something.

For prosecutors it should simply be an eye for an eye. You do some shady shit and a man is wrongfully imprisoned for 20 years? Enjoy your 20 year bid Mr. Prosecutor, I'm sure you will be popular.

[Medius]

[Southern Dad]

The purpose of bail is to ensure that a defendant shows up for trial. The amount has to be high enough that there is enough of a risk of loss that they won't fail to show up. Bail bondsmen are the way that most poor get out of jail, while property owners post their own bail. This makes sense because a property owner is risking that property if he/she fails to show up. The non-property owner is risking the bail bondsman's property and has paid him/her for that risk. If they don't show up, the bail bondsman will send his/her bounty hunter to bring the individual to court or will have to pay the bail amount.

[eynon81]

[Medius]