Vanguard Court Watch to Host Bail Reform Discussion at Annual Dinner

    DAVIS, CA, October 05, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Bail Reform will be the central topic of discussion at the Vanguard Court Watch Annual Dinner and Fundraiser slated for November 19, 2016 at the Davis Senior Center as San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi along with others present their opinions on the changing ideas surrounding the social justice issue.

The topic of bail reform is quickly rising to the top of criminal justice/ social justice issues with many experts calling for change, and utilizing the system to advance the ideas central to reforming an outdated, bias and discriminatory system which favors those with means and targets those without.

Bail reform has become a huge issue with the United States Department of Justice now filing a brief arguing fixed bail schedules "allow for the pretrial release of only those who can pay, without accounting for ability to pay and alternative methods of assuring future appearance, do not provide for such individualized determinations, and therefore unlawfully discriminate based on indigence."

The Contra Costa Times reported last year that roughly 65-70 percent of those in county jail custody are awaiting trial and that number is up to 85 in the Bay Area.

"It's unfair because people who are released from jail are simply those who have money. You can get out on bail if you're charged with murder if you have the money," Jeff Adachi said. "And yet if you're charged with criminal trespass, and you don't have $500.00 to post bail, you're going to be in jail."

"The presumption of innocence in this country is meaningless because, for most of our clients who are poor people, they are incarcerated pending their trials," he added. "It places much more pressure on them for innocent people to plead guilty. It creates a disincentive for cases to be fully investigated and litigated."

Also featured at the annual dinner will be Phil Telfeyan, co-founder of Equal Justice Under Law, the group filing a lawsuit against the money bail system.

"If you're very rich, you can purchase your freedom, even if you're rich and dangerous," Telfeyan said. "In fact, it's better to be rich and dangerous in San Francisco than poor and have no risk."

An informative panel discussion will also feature California Bail Agents Association President Gloria Mitchell, Mica Doctoroff, Legislative Advocate with the ACLU of California Center for Advocacy and Policy, and Jessica Bartholow, Policy Advocate, Western Center on Law & Poverty.

Proceeds for the event go to fund the Vanguard Court Watch, a 501c3 watch dog organization that sends college interns into the courthouse to monitor and report on cases in Yolo County, and is expanding into Sacramento and San Francisco.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at: http://vanguardbailreform.eventbrite.com

About Vanguard
The People's Vanguard is a 501(c)3 non-profit, a community-based watchdog and news reporting organization that publishes daily covering the city of Davis, Yolo County Courts, and other regional news and commentary. The Vanguard seeks to bring transparency, accountability and fairness to local government, while promoting social justice and democracy, and adhering to principles of accuracy and fairness in our reporting.

For more information: http://www.davisvanguard.org

About Harris Management
Harris Management is a Los Angeles-based talent management company focused on a select group of actors, directors, writers and recording artists. For more information, contact us [email protected]

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