Tax-payer funded bail a.k.a. taxpayer funded “Pre-trial Release” programs began in the 1960’s to secure release for first-time, low income, non-violent offenders who couldn’t afford bail. Rather than requiring financial payment for release like commercial bail, these programs require the posting of little or no money, and instead grant release by securing a signed promise to various court supervision requirements, which includes a promise to show up for trial.

Due to jail crowding and lack of government accountability, these tax-payer funded pretrial release programs have mushroomed well beyond their original scope and purpose. Today there are over 300 pretrial release programs nationwide whose participants routinely include violent and repeat offenders – dangerous individuals who should be locked up behind bars or should only be released on the tightest of restrictions.

As a result, many crimes taking place in our communities today are committed by people that we the taxpayers have released from jail through these programs. Among them:

• Ingmar Guandique, who was arrested for assaulting a woman in Washington D.C.’s Rock Creek Park. After obtaining tax-payer, funded pre-trial release, he returned to the park and killed capitol hill intern Chandra Levy while she was jogging in the park.


• Paul M. Eischeid, a Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang member was arrested for murder. Nevertheless, he obtained pre-trial release and while on release, removed his ankle bracelet monitor and fled. He is currently listed among America’s Most Wanted.


• Lee Knoch was arrested for assault and obtained pre-trial release. While on release he murdered the man he had previously assaulted.


• Maurice Patterson of Durham, NC was arrested on seven felony charges. After obtaining pre-trial release, he was arrested again weeks later for breaking and entering. 


• An Oregon man with 49 previous arrests and 15 convictions obtained pre-trial release. While on release, he kidnapped and raped a 13 year old girl.

And these are just a few of the many violent criminals that we the taxpayers are bailing out of jail each and every day.



Why is this happening?



1. Because these pre-trial release programs aren’t effectively screening defendants. 



2. Because there aren’t sufficient criteria governing who can and cannot participate in pre-trial release programs, and 



3. Because these programs aren’t even keeping records of their participants.

Why? Because they are not required to report who they allow to participate in these programs. 



This must stop! It’s time to hold these pre-trial release programs accountable. 

The Citizens Right to Know Act (HR 1885) has been introduced in Congress by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK) to do just that.

The Citizens Right-to-Know Act will require pre-trial release programs to keep accurate records of defendants that participate in these programs, their criminal records, past convictions, and their previous failures to appear for trial. 
Currently, this information on these defendants is neither collected nor reported in any systematic fashion.

Thus, there is no mechanism to determine if pre-trial release agencies are allowing repeat and violent offenders to participate, whether these programs are effective in ensuring that defendants adhere to their pre-trial release requirements or whether these defendants actually show up for trial. 
 


The Citizens Right to Know Act will require for the first time, reporting of how taxpayer dollars are used. As a result, policy makers and taxpayers will be better equipped to protect public safety.

Congress is debating whether to continue to fund these programs. If Congress continues to fund pretrial release, then Congress must be able to determine the effectiveness of such programs. Taxpayers deserve to know if their limited resources are being spent wisely and their communities are being protected.



Call Congress today at 202-225-3121 and ask your Member of Congress to co-sponsor HR 1885, the Citizens Right To Know Act!