Cashless bail reform has grown from a niche policy in the 1990s to a nationwide movement by 2025, with over 30 cities and multiple states adopting laws restricting or eliminating cash bail for many offenses. Violent offenders released on cashless bail have committed numerous violent crimes, prompting widespread reports and concern. Let’s take a look.
What is Cashless Bail?
Cashless bail—more accurately called bail reform—was designed to reduce pretrial detention based on wealth, not risk. The policy aimed to prevent jailing people accused of crimes solely because they couldn’t afford bail. Supporters argued that money bail created a two-tiered justice system, where wealthier defendants could await trial at home while poorer ones remained incarcerated. Most of the early implementations targeted misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. Some jurisdictions ruled that detaining someone solely because they couldn’t afford bail violated constitutional rights, even for serious charges. This led some areas to expand the list of crimes eligible for violent felonies.
Why Are Career Criminals Able To Be Out On The Streets?
There have been too many cases where people with a long history of violent crimes are out on the street and committing more violent crimes. Some of the most notable:
- DeCarlos Brown Jr. attacked and fatally stabbed a young Ukrainian woman on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2025. Brown had at least three prior felony convictions before the 2025 Charlotte light rail stabbing, along with a total of 14 arrests dating back to 2007. In early 2025, authorities in Charlotte arrested him for misusing the 911 system. Despite his violent history and schizophrenia diagnosis, the court released him.
- Jacoby Tillman had four felony cases and a violent misdemeanor dating back to 2021. On October 12, 2025, authorities arrested him for attacking a female jogger in Orlando that July, and the court released him on a $9,500 bond despite his violent record. The judge revoked his bond on October 21 after he threatened a witness and violated a no-contact order.
- Police arrested Ervin Goode for kidnapping and assault by strangulation in July 2025. Authorities released him on a $750,000 unsecured bond, requiring no upfront payment. Weeks later, they re-arrested him for drug trafficking and illegal gun possession. Despite the new charges, he walked free again—this time on a $10,000 bond.
- Adam Bennefield fatally shot his estranged wife, Keira Bennefield, in Buffalo, New York, less than 24 hours after being released without bail for assaulting her. He had a prior offense when he kidnapped a woman at gunpoint in 2000 and held her hostage for several days.
Due to cashless bail, justice has been a revolving door in too many cities.
The Impact of “Last Charge”
Some states use the defendant’s “last charge,” which refers to the most recent criminal offense a person is accused of at the time of arrest or arraignment. It’s a key factor in determining pretrial release conditions, especially in jurisdictions with cashless bail policies. The states currently using “last charge”:
- New York
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- California
- New Mexico
- District of Columbia
Here is why “last charge” matters:
- Ignores patterns of violent behavior
- Limits judicial discretion
- Can result in the release of repeat offenders with dangerous histories
Some “last charge” states like New York, Illinois, New Jersey, California, and New Mexico will also often exclude prior mental health history from pretrial detention decisions unless specific legal thresholds are met. This creates an even more dangerous situation for the citizens of these states.
The Catholic View
Jesus preached justice, mercy, and accountability. He never reduced a person to their crime and never ignored the harm done, either. Catholic social teaching does not support the automatic release of violent offenders but calls for a justice system that balances accountability, protection of society, and the possibility of rehabilitation and redemption. It emphasizes human dignity, restorative justice, and the common good. The “revolving door justice” of cashless bail has only created more victims and does nothing to help the career criminal get the help and support they need to live a good and productive life.
The original intent of cashless bail, which was only for non-violent offenses, promotes human dignity, equity, and restorative justice. We cannot continue to ignore the history of repeat violent offenders, as this approach poses a serious risk to all U.S. citizens. The results of these policies have been disastrous.
Please share your thoughts on this article in the “Comments” section.
Peace
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