Overcriminalization significantly undermines human flourishing and social well-being by harming the family, social networks, and social citizenship. Additionally, it prevents capable men and women from utilizing their creative capacities in the marketplace. This creates vast issues involving relations with family while incarcerated and reintegration into society after release. On the economic side, draconian cash bail systems undermine justice through basing someone's ability to attain pre-trial release upon their wealth, not their actual threat to society.
"Rothgery’s experience reflects what research has shown: people represented by legal counsel at bail hearings are more likely to be released on recognizance, have bail set at a lower amount when it is set (by an average of $600), and spend significantly less time in jail (two days, compared to nine days for those without counsel)."
Pretrial Justice Institute
June 26, 2018
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