Don't commit the crime if you can't do the time. This is absurd and your enabling of criminal behavior is disgusting. We learn the difference between right and wrong from the cradle. Adults who commit harassment, which is a criminal, not a civil offense, shoplifting, etc. know what they are doing is illegal. There is a difference between going 5-7 miles over the speed limit and cracking someone's skull open with a beer bottle in a bar, causing them to need half a dozen stitches, spending two days in the hospital, with headaches, nausea, having to take two weeks off work, etc. That's not something you get an appearance ticket for. Someone who cracks someone over the head is dangerous and should not be in civil society, because they will do it again. Even if it is a "misdemeanor," it is a criminal act that causes pain and suffering to another person. If you can't come up with bail money, don't commit the crime. Threatening someone is also serious, especially nowadays. How many times did a shooter make terroristic threats against their family, neighbors, etc. before taking a gun and murdering innocent people? Too many to count. Someone who has intent to harm someone else should not be on the streets; they're dangerous and belong in jail. Strangling a neighbor's cat with a garrot is a misdemeanor as well; it's also a sign of psychopathy. It's not stealing some candy or cigarettes. It's not smoking marijuana, which is technically still illegal in NY if virtually decriminalized. These examples may not be felonies but they are still serious crimes which warrant jail, not bail. Even someone with a handful of speeding tickets might belong in jail; people speeding excessively and routinely (not a few miles over like almost everyone does) is dangerous to other motorists on the road. A person may get dozens of tickets before their license is revoked. No, bail in these cases is necessary.
Re: “Bail trap: Poverty keeps thousands behind bars”
Don't commit the crime if you can't do the time. This is absurd and your enabling of criminal behavior is disgusting. We learn the difference between right and wrong from the cradle. Adults who commit harassment, which is a criminal, not a civil offense, shoplifting, etc. know what they are doing is illegal. There is a difference between going 5-7 miles over the speed limit and cracking someone's skull open with a beer bottle in a bar, causing them to need half a dozen stitches, spending two days in the hospital, with headaches, nausea, having to take two weeks off work, etc. That's not something you get an appearance ticket for. Someone who cracks someone over the head is dangerous and should not be in civil society, because they will do it again. Even if it is a "misdemeanor," it is a criminal act that causes pain and suffering to another person. If you can't come up with bail money, don't commit the crime. Threatening someone is also serious, especially nowadays. How many times did a shooter make terroristic threats against their family, neighbors, etc. before taking a gun and murdering innocent people? Too many to count. Someone who has intent to harm someone else should not be on the streets; they're dangerous and belong in jail. Strangling a neighbor's cat with a garrot is a misdemeanor as well; it's also a sign of psychopathy. It's not stealing some candy or cigarettes. It's not smoking marijuana, which is technically still illegal in NY if virtually decriminalized. These examples may not be felonies but they are still serious crimes which warrant jail, not bail. Even someone with a handful of speeding tickets might belong in jail; people speeding excessively and routinely (not a few miles over like almost everyone does) is dangerous to other motorists on the road. A person may get dozens of tickets before their license is revoked. No, bail in these cases is necessary.