Editorial: N.J. bail reform law ends unfair, expensive debtors’ prison

The Trenton Times published the following article on August 17, 2014. To read the full article, click here.

Editorial: N.J. bail reform law ends unfair, expensive debtors’ prison

By Times of Trenton Editorial Board 
on August 17, 2014 at 6:32 AM, updated August 17, 2014 at 6:36 AM

New Jersey has taken two giant steps toward a more equitable criminal justice system that, over the years, has been manipulated by the wealthy and powerful at the expense of those without influence or ready cash.

The remedy is a shift from the current “resource-based” system of pretrial release to a much more objective “risk-based” system.

Gov. Chris Christie last week signed legislation to change the system so that poor defendants charged with low-level offenses aren’t languishing in prison because they can’t afford bail.

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