"The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation last week designed to deter states and municipalities from instituting or continuing cashless bail programs, even though such policies recognize that the release of individuals from jail, pending their chance to argue their innocence in courts of law, shouldn't be restricted based on a person's income."
"The Cashless Bail Reporting Act passed the GOP-led House on Thursday. Despite being supported by most Republicans in the chamber, it was also backed by 96 Democrats. The bill expands a 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump, entitled "Taking Steps to End Cashless Bail to Protect Americans.""
"However, research from the Brennan Center for Justice published in 2024 finds that there is "no statistically significant relationship" linking cashless bail to any increases in violent crime. The study noted that some people had incorrectly linked a sudden rise in crime during the COVID pandemic to cashless bail policies. However, the data from their study suggests such claims are baseless."
""There is no reason to believe that bail reform has led to increased crime," the Brennan Center emphasized in its findings. While data demonstrates that cashless bail doesn't lead to the negative outcomes its critics suggest it does, cash bail systems widen inequities by creating a two-tier justice system based on income, which disproportionately harms people of color."
The U.S. House passed the Cashless Bail Reporting Act to deter states and municipalities from instituting or continuing cashless bail programs. The legislation targets policies that allow people to be released from jail pending trial without restricting release based on income. The bill passed with GOP support and backing from 96 Democrats. It expands a 2025 executive order that claims cashless bail encourages endangering law-abiding Americans. Research published in 2024 by the Brennan Center for Justice found no statistically significant relationship between cashless bail and increases in violent crime. The research also rejects claims that COVID-era crime spikes were caused by cashless bail policies. Cash bail systems, however, create a two-tier justice system based on income and disproportionately harm people of color.
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