Equal justice under the law means just what it says. It should apply to everyone, not just folks who have a savings account or money for a rainy day.
Cash Bail is money that you pay as a deposit for the release of a person who has been arrested (also known as a defendant).
The Department of Finance holds the money to help guarantee that the defendant will return to court for their trial.
The Cash Bail is held in a bank account until the court closes the case and issues a court order to refund the Cash Bail to the person who paid it.
If the defendant does not return for their trial, the Cash Bail is not returned (forfeited Cash Bail).
If a court order is not received within 3 years of the deposit date the money is abandoned and sent to the NYS Office of the Comptroller.
In New York City, two people can be accused of the same crime, but depending on their income, one goes home and back to work, while the other sits in jail. Read why ending cash bail is a moral imperative https://www.crainsnewyork.com/op-ed/why-ending-cash-bail-moral-imperati…