How to Meaningfully Advance Pretrial and Bail Reform, while Combatting Misinformation

Despite assurances that, “[I]n our society, liberty is the norm, and detention prior to trial…the carefully limited exception,” over 75 percent of those detained in local jails have not been convicted of a crime.

22nd Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference
August 16-17, 2023 | Held Virtually

;


Two-thirds of state pretrial populations are held for non-violent offenses, and the racial disparities which plague the criminal legal system are especially pronounced in pretrial decisions. With pretrial decisions having substantial, long-term case impacts, the use and abuse of pretrial detention erodes the presumption of innocence and destroys any sense of justice. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the deadly consequences of widespread pretrial incarceration, prompting a renewed call and sense of urgency for releasing individuals detained pretrial.

In New Jersey lawmakers implemented bail reforms that shifted from a primarily from a cash bail system to a risk-based system. New York adopted a historic bail reform law that eliminated cash bail for most people charged with misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. And in Illinois, lawmakers abolished cash bail, making it the first state to do so. However, over the past few years New York lawmakers have continuously rolled backed its bail reform law, and the Illinois’ reform was initially put on pause but has survived with the Supreme Court upholding the law that eliminated cash bail. Join this panel to hear from advocates working to advance pretrial reform and receive tips and strategies for responding to critics and addressing concerns from court actors, legislators, and others.

#EndMassIncarceration: 50 Years of Failure

Speakers
  • Brandon Buskey, Director, Criminal Law Reform Project, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
  • David Gasper, CEO, The Bail Project
  • Sharlyn Grace, Senior Policy Advisor, Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
  • Moderated by: Rena Karefa-Johnson, Vice President, National Initiatives, FWD.us
     

See related materials

Explore keywords to find information

RECENTLY ADDED & UPCOMING

  1. The Champion
    /Nacdl/media/image_library/StayInformed/Champion/ChampionCovers/March-April-2025.jpg?ext=.jpg

    March/April 2025

    What are the evidentiary implications of field sobriety tests in marijuana cases? Does the odor of marijuana give officers probable cause to search a vehicle?

  2. Amicus Brief
    /Nacdl/media/image_library/Elements/global/amicus.png

    Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice

    Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and New York Council of Defense Lawyers as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment.

  3. News Release
    /Nacdl/media/image_library/Elements/global/newsrelease.png

    News Release ~ Law Enforcement Executive Order

    NACDL Warns Executive Order's Dangerous Overreach Undermines Community Safety and Trust in Police – Washington, DC (April 29, 2025) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) expressed deep concern regarding the Executive Order titled "Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens," cautioning that several of its proposals represent a dangerous overreach that undermines these goals by jeopardizing individual rights and the legitimacy of law enforcement in the eyes of the community.

  4. Event
    /Nacdl/media/image_library/Learn/nacdlcleinstitute/2025_Post-Dobbs_Trial_Tactics_2025-02-26_v02_Event-Listing_2.jpg?ext=.jpg

    Trial Tactics for Pregnancy-Related Cases: Skills for Every Defender

    LOCATION: The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX
    DATE: May 16-17, 2025
    COST: FREE (registration is required)
    CLE Credit: Up to 14.5 credits 

  5. Webinar
    /assets/img/nacdl_og.png

    Collaborative Approaches to Appellate Defense: Recognizing Clients' Legal Expertise

    WHEN: Thursday, May 8, 3:00-4:30pm ET / 12:00-1:30pm PT
    CLE CREDIT: not available
    COST: Free

Featured Products