Explainers Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Illinois Strives for Fairer, More Effective Pretrial Justice

by Lisel Petis

Jan 17, 2024

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Author

Lisel Petis

Resident Senior Fellow, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Key Points

By prioritizing a system that upholds the presumption of innocence and focuses on community safety, Illinois aims to set a precedent for a more just and pragmatic criminal justice framework that other states can follow.

Abolishing cash bail helps many individuals avoid the detrimental economic consequences of pretrial detention, such as job or housing loss or disruptions in family life, resulting in lower reoffense rates.

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Background

In a groundbreaking move, Illinois overhauled its approach to bail with the Pretrial Fairness Act (PFA)—an initiative with wide-ranging implications. This bold step reflects a demand to address public safety, fiscal responsibility, and longstanding issues that have impacted low-income individuals disproportionately. By prioritizing a system that upholds the presumption of innocence and focuses on community safety, Illinois aims to set a precedent for a more just and pragmatic criminal justice framework that other states can follow.

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