Introduction

The bail amount of $17,500 in a felony hit and run case in which a ballroom dancer left behind a motorcycle strapped to her car raises significant questions about the fairness and effectiveness of our criminal justice system. The bail amount is only 10% of the total $17,500, meaning that the defendant only needs to pay $1,750 to be released from jail. This article will discuss the purpose of bail, the implications of such a low bail amount, and the fairness of holding a defendant in jail under these circumstances.

The Purpose of Bail

The primary purpose of bail is to ensure the defendant's appearance in court. It acts as an incentive for the defendant to return to court and ultimately attend the trial. While the amount of bail should be sufficient to deter the defendant from fleeing, it also needs to be reasonable to prevent unnecessary financial strain on the individual and their family.

Current Bail Amounts and Their Impact

The bail amount set for the ballroom dancer, $17,500, appears to be considerably low, particularly for a felony hit and run. In felony cases, the risk of the defendant fleeing is typically higher, and the bail amount should reflect this risk appropriately. However, a $17,500 bail can still be relatively low, allowing the defendant to be released with just a minor payment.

The defendant only needs to pay $1,750, which is a fairly small amount of money for someone with the resources of a ballroom dancer. This low amount may be seen as an indication that the system does not adequately weigh the severity of the crime.

Implications of Low Bail Amounts

One of the core principles of the criminal justice system is that individuals should not be held in custody without a fair trial. Holding someone in jail for a long time before their trial could lead to significant harm, such as loss of job, family disruptions, and mental health issues. In the UK, the typical sentence for a first-time offender for less than two years is likely to be suspended.

Therefore, holding someone in jail for a longer period than their probable sentence could be seen as a violation of this principle. The purpose of bail is to ensure the defendant's presence in court and not to punish them; holding someone in jail unnecessarily could be seen as an overreach of this purpose.

Conclusion

The current bail amount of $17,500 in a felony hit and run case is a cause for concern. It may not properly reflect the severity of the crime and could result in unjustified detention. Ensuring that bail amounts are both fair and proportionate to the crime is essential to maintaining a fair and just criminal justice system. Defendants should not face undue financial hardship, and their release should not violate their basic human rights.