Does the bail system really uphold equality before the law?

[foxsquirrell]

Yes. If you don't have money bad luck or you have no one to bail you out bad luck

No it gives the opportunity for people who have money to buy their freedom while others sit in prison

[Kaneki05]

Not the money side of it as anyone with enough wealth can pay and gain a privilege others can't.
Other bail conditions is also not equal really but that's logical as it should be subjective to case by case. You wouldn't treat a minor offence on par with murder so the minor offence getting easier bail conditions makes sense.
The money condition makes no sense though and only enables rich.

[DryGermanGuy]

The whole US-American „justice“ system is ridiculous, inefficient and unjust.

[nolabels]

The concept of bail has nothing to do with equality in meting out justice.

[foxsquirrell]

How does it have nothing to do with meting out justice? You think justice is only the sentence at the end of the case? Bail is granted or denied by courts. It is part of the legal system. It is not equal as the law is suppose to be because people who do not afford bail have to remain in jail while those who afford bail can regain their freedom even if temporary. That is unfair and contrary to the mantra or maxim or whatever you want to call it that the law is equal to all!

[nolabels]

The meting out of justice occurs at trial.

Bail has to do with whether or not one is deemed safe to be released while awaiting trial.
Judges make those determinations based on evidence, and upon the judge's opinion as to whether a charged person is likely to be a threat to society, as it should be.

How would you have the system be altered?

Whether or not anyone who has been apprehended and charged is able to afford any possible bail amount is wholly dependent on one's financial circumstances.
Some are more able than others to do so.

Again, in what way would you make changes to that system?

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness is the foundation of human rights in the U. S.

No one ever said that life is equal for all, and it isn't.

[foxsquirrell]

Don't change the subject! I am not talking about life. Life is a much broader concept. I am talking about the concept that the law is equal to all. If it is so, and it is so preached, and people take pride in this concept than I excpect people to design the legal framework to reflect this concept of everyone being equal before the law. But unfortunatley when it comes to money we are full of excuses are we? We try to bend and expand concepts as much as we need to keep the cash flowing don't we?
How I would change this? Simple. I already said. Nothing will practically change except for the fact that you don't need money to stay out of prison if the judge deems you not a flight risk or a danger to society. Easy. It will still be up to the court to decide weather a suspect can be allowed free until his case is decided or kept in prison. All that I will remove is the money from this part of the equation. Thereby making it fair and equal to all!
This idea is reflected for example in traffic contaventions here where I live. Here we now have the point system over and above the fines. Before it was only the fines. But they realised that for those who are millioners thy might as well remove the traffic regulations. Because they can afford to pay petty fines. But now if you add up to about 12 points you will have your driving licence revoked. So now it is fair because the traffic regulations apply equally to normal people and to the rich as well.

[foxsquirrell]

You're right no one ever said life is equal to all, and it is not. But what they do say is that the law is equal to all (at least to the members of the community in question). Then I expect them to make it so.

[NaultD]

It's punishment and punitive damage before proven guilty.

[foxsquirrell]

How is this relevant to my question?

[exitseven]

Yes, it is a cautionary tale. If you cannot post bail maybe you should think twice about holding up rhat liquor store

[genericname85]

absolutely. it makes sure rich people stay unimpeded by the law while the poor rot in jail xD totally equal.

[Mike_Hum]

Too many are let out to commit crimes again.