Although no one ever wants to be arrested, at some time in your life you may get charged with a minor crime in Indiana. Since bail usually gets set pretty quickly, if you have the money you are able to post it and go home. However, if you are not in a good financial position and have no one to turn to, you may have to spend time in jail while someone else charged with a similar crime can afford to leave. This is why there is a growing movement to abolish bail for minor offenses.
According to the Indy Star, a revolving bail fund such as the Bail Project has the potential to alter the course of a defendant’s life. Sometimes, it is just the sum of several hundred dollars that is preventing you from your freedom. However, that amount may be the reason that you lose your job, fail to pay child support, get evicted from your apartment and more. Not being able to post bail may have long-reaching consequences for your family, as well.
With a revolving bail fund, a nonprofit puts up the sum required by the court to secure your freedom. In return, you are expected to attend court as required. When you do this faithfully, after your case is resolved the money is returned to the fund. This is an equalizer when you do not have the means that someone else charged with the same crime may have, and is a move towards bail reform or abolishment.
This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not given as legal advice.
