Overview:
Arizona’s current bail system is one of the most punitive in the nation, holding men and women in detention for extended periods without conviction. This is due to case backlogs, overloaded prosecutors, and a system that is failing to balance public safety with individual rights. We see individuals—presumed innocent under the law—spending months, even years, in detention with no sunlight and limited access to the outside world, simply because their cases have yet to be brought to trial.
Proposed Policy:
We propose a reform that requires all criminal cases to proceed to trial within 90 days of arraignment. If the state fails to do so, the accused should be released on their own recognizance. This policy would force accountability and efficiency on both judges and prosecutors, ensuring that no one suffers prolonged pretrial detention without due process.
Rationale:
Arizona’s bail system has long needed reform. We have individuals languishing in jail without conviction, caught up in procedural delays, sometimes due to nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. These are not convicted criminals but individuals awaiting their day in court. They deserve to await trial without forfeiting basic rights and dignity.
This reform will benefit Arizona by:
1. Reducing the cost of extended pretrial detention to taxpayers.
2. Reaffirming the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
3. Prompting necessary efficiency and prioritization within the judicial system.
Arizona has a duty to uphold justice, not just in theory, but in practice. This reform would move us closer to that goal by creating a fairer, more transparent, and more humane bail system. Let’s give back dignity and due process to those who have yet to be convicted, and reaffirm Arizona’s commitment to justice for all.