This explainer in TIME breaks down the Trump administration’s executive orders targeting jurisdictions that have reduced or eliminated cash bail. It outlines how “cashless bail” systems are designed to allow release based on risk rather than ability to pay, while cash bail systems can result in detention for people who lack financial resources. The article situates these policy debates within a broader national discussion about fairness and safety in the pretrial system. It includes reporting from The Bail Project on how financial conditions influence detention and reviews research on the relationship between bail reform and crime.
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