Pretrial Reform

Bail is supposed to serve two purposes: ensuring a person will show up for court, and protecting the public from dangerous people. Texas’s money-based bail system is not designed to serve either purpose.

Instead, Texas’s bail system keeps low-income, low-risk people accused - but not convicted - of a crime in jail simply because they cannot afford to pay money bond. At the same time, people at a higher risk for flight who pose a greater danger to the community are released before trial if they have money for bail.​

This violates the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of Equal Protection and Due Process, and our shared value that freedom should not depend on wealth.

We believe people charged with crimes and their communities are better served by evidence-based practices rooted in community than ineffective policies based on a person's wealth. We use impact litigation and policy advocacy, in addition to supporting local grassroots efforts, to create more equitable pretrial policies and practices.