Article Media
Media Contact: Daisy Vieyra, (916) 442-1036 x613 (dvieyra@acluca.org)
Sacramento - On the heels of a resounding call for bail reform from a workgroup convened by California’s Chief Justice last week, the Pretrial Justice Institute today released a national report on the state of pretrial justice in America and gave California’s current bail system a letter grade of “D.”
In response, the Bail Reform California coalition issued the following statement:
Let us be clear: a “D” would be unacceptable in any number of subject areas but nowhere more so than when Californians’ freedom, livelihood and safety are at stake. The need for bail reform is clear and the calls for reform continue to grow.
This national report issued by the Pretrial Justice Institute presents yet another case for a fairer and safer bail system. If there is one ray of sunshine in the otherwise abysmal state of pretrial justice in California it’s that the report cites California as a “state to watch” given that all three branches of the state’s government have committed to moving forward to reform bail and improve pretrial services.
We will continue to work for bail reform in California by supporting SB 10 (Hertzberg) and engaging in next steps with the Chief Justice, Governor Brown, Senator Hertzberg and Assemblymember Bonta."
Bail Reform California is comprised of American Civil Liberties Union of California, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Californians for Safety and Justice, the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Essie Justice Group, the California Public Defenders Association, Silicon Valley De-Bug, SEIU California, and the Western Center on Law and Poverty.
