What we want
We advocate for the state of Georgia to end the use of money as a form of pretrial bond for any people alleged of any crime. Bonds, when issued, will be signatory only, while people accused of certain crimes may still be held without bond if they pose a significant safety or flight risk, as determined by a judge.
At the local level, in the absence of statewide reform, cities and counties can also end the use of money as a form of pretrial bond.
Reasons for Reform
Sixty-four percent of Georgia’s total jail population is in pre-trial detention.”
GA Department of Community Affairs Office of Research
Discriminatory Impact
Money bail disproportionately impacts low income individuals and families that are financially unable to afford the bail. As a result, Someone should not be incarcerated before their trial simply because they do not have enough money.
Economic Disruption
Pretrial detention can mean people lose their jobs because of missing work, their children may have to stay with relatives, they may miss their rent and get evicted. This is a form of punishment before someone receives their day in court and it falls hardest on lower income individuals and families.
Reducing Pretrial Detention
Sixty-four percent (64%) of Georgia’s total jail population is in pre-trial detention. That means the majority of people in Georgia jails right now have not been charged with a crime yet and are still innocent under the law. Three out of four (75%) of people in pretrial detention are there for nonviolent, low-level offenses like property crime and drug use.
Financial Responsibility
Pretrial detention is also expensive for the local government. Every day that someone is detained costs local taxpayers more money that could be saved while an individual continues their normal life while awaiting trial. Statewide that turns into millions of dollars.