Andrew Sweet Andrew Sweet

Rich Justice Poor Justice

Let’s talk about bail. Specifically, let’s talk about something small, like $1,000 bail for an attempted robbery. Can you afford that? According to CNBC news, you probably can’t. 69% of our nation cannot afford an unexpected $1,000 emergency expense (which I would argue bail qualifies). What happens next?

Someone arrested for the attempted robbery couldn’t likely afford bail, and now must sit in jail until their trial happens, which in Florida for example, can be as long as 90-180 days. So for 90-180 days, that person sits in jail, and can’t do their job if they have one. Therefore, they can’t pay their rent, car note, or credit card bill, and their things are slowly being repossessed. Rare is the employer who can afford to keep someone on the payroll for doing nothing while they’re sitting in jail, so kiss that job goodbye. Now, day 90, or 180, arrives. It turns out they didn’t do it. Honest mistake—someone thought they saw something they didn’t and it comes out in court.

That’s what this podcast is about. Two justice systems: one for the rich, one for the poor. That, and integrity. Listen for both.

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