Bail Reform: Innovating an Unjust System

Under the current bail/bond system in Ohio, wealthy defendants pay the bond fees and go home to await trial, while poor defendants either stay behind bars or plead guilty so they have a chance to be freed. The Ohio Supreme Court is considering changing the rule so that judges must release defendants on the least restrictive conditions, money bail is only applied for those at risk of being no-shows for court appearances, and financial conditions should be the least costly to the defendant. The conversation will take a look into what hasn't been working and how we can reform bail so that everyone is on an equal playing field, not just those with money.

Our featured speaker is the newly elected Municipal Court Judge Janaya Trotter Bratton. She is also an NKU Chase alumna. The event is co-sponsored by Chase Public Interest Group. We are providing Raising Cane's chicken fingers.