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As Elon Musk looks on, Trump says he's giving DOGE even more power; Officials monitor latest AR bird flu outbreak; NV lawmaker proposes new date for Indigenous Peoples Day; NM lawmaker says journalists of all stripes need protection; Closure of EPA branch would harm VA environment.

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A court weighs the right of New York City noncitizens to vote in local elections, Vice President Vance suggests courts can't overrule a president, and states increasingly challenge the validity of student IDs at the ballot box.

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Medical debt, which tops $90 billion has an outsized impact on rural communities, a new photography book shares the story of 5,000 schools built for Black students between 1912 and 1937, and anti-hunger advocates champion SNAP.

How Alabama bail reform could transform justice system

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Thursday, September 26, 2024   

As Alabama lawmakers look at bail reform, a new report outlines how eliminating cash bail could impact the state and beyond. House Bill 42, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, would allow judges to accept a percentage of bail for people wanting to be released from pretrial detention.

Ames Grawert, senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, and report co-author, noted that critics often blame bail reform for rising crime, but data show no direct link. He believes that moving away from cash bail and exploring alternatives could lead to a fairer justice system.

"Even if someone is able to secure a bond, like a bail bond, rather than pay the amount of money required by the court outright, those bonds can often come with very high non-refundable fees. And those fees on their own can be fairly devastating to a family living on the edge," he said.

Grawert added that data show people of color frequently face higher bail amounts.

The study also highlights how bail reform could help reduce the collateral damage of incarceration, which often limits access to essential services and increases the likelihood of recidivism. Grawert noted that states such as New York have already seen success with their bail-reform efforts.

"These sort of pretrial supervision services can be very successful in helping reduce unnecessary pretrial detention while preserving public safety. The catch is they have to be adequately funded. They have to have professional staff, and that can't be taken for granted," he continued.

The report urges policymakers to invest in alternatives to cash bail and provide support for pretrial services such as supervision programs as well as increased access to mental-health and substance-abuse treatment.


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