Earlier this session, the State Legislature passed HB 204, which began the process of reforming our pre-trial system by improving and expanding pre-trial services and developing a stronger risk assessment tool. Now it is time to finish that fight.

SB 221 and SB 222 will put the finishing touches on helping to limit the use of monetary bail as a public safety measure, fully fund the pre-trial services from HB 204, and make it possible for judges to hold the most dangerous and most likely to flee pre-trial until their time in court. All too often, wealthy and well-connected defendants are able to post bail and flee the state, resulting in our current 25% pre-trial failure rate. It is time to end the practice of discrimination against poor people in Delaware and make our system work for everyone, not just favor the wealthiest or well-connected individuals in our state.

The bills are likely to be heard in the Executive Committee next Wednesday in the Senate.

What we need is for everyone to email and call your Senator and demand that they fully fund pre-trial services, and pass SB 221 and SB 222 as soon as possible. We have worked too hard and too long for criminal justice reform in Delaware to delay any longer.