MBF TESTIFIES AGAINST S.1851!
Re: Opposition to Resolve S. 1851
Dear Chairpersons Gregoire, Pacheco, and Committee Members,
The Massachusetts Bail Fund pays up to $500 bail so that low-income people can stay free while they work towards resolving their case, allowing individuals, families, and communities to stay productive, together, and stable. Pre-trial freedom leads to better case and life outcomes. The Massachusetts Bail Fund is committed to the harm reduction of freeing individuals serving pre-trial sentences, and to abolishing pre-trial detention and supervision in the long-term.
MASSACHUSETTS HIGHEST COURT UPHOLDS UNJUST SYSTEM OF CASH BAIL
Last week, the Massachusetts Bail Fund posted our lowest bail yet; $25. On Friday August 25, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts (SJC) decided the case of Brangan v. Commonwealth. The justices order judges to consider a person’s ability to pay when determining bail and they order judges to explain, either in writing or orally, their reasons for setting a cash bail that is more than the person can afford.