Bail System Reform

Vocabulary flashcards about bail system reform based on lecture notes.

Monetary Bail

Allows a defendant to leave jail after paying money to the court or to third-party bail bondsmen as collateral that they will appear for future court hearings.

Presumptive Release

Release without paying any money, often promoted for low-level crimes as a bail reform approach.

Richard Westfall

A Denver attorney arguing on behalf of the plaintiffs in the New Mexico bail case at the 10th Circuit.

Darlene Collins

Sat in a New Mexico jail for almost two days because she was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and the new rules prevented the courts from setting a bond amount without a risk assessment or a hearing before a judge.

Jeffrey Clayman

Executive director of the American Bail Coalition, which represents the bail bond industry.

Denise Maess

Public policy director for ACLU of Colorado, discussing bail reform bills in Colorado.

Eighth Amendment

Forbids “excessive bail,” suggesting the option for bail must exist.