Health and Environment
A 'Pivotal' Opportunity For The Undocumented
Tram Whitehurst |
Despite sharp criticism, Gov. Spitzer is making driver’s licenses accessible to undocumented immigrants – who say it’s about much more than driving.
Parks
Calling All Communities To A Picnic In the Park
Laura Silver |
An online tool for real-world fellowship and activism celebrates the affiliations it has created.
Bronx
AIDS Advocates Want Bigger Housing Program
Jon Whiten |
Help needy New Yorkers and save money in the long run, supporters tell a balky administration.
Justice
Chapter 1: The Punishing Price of NYC's Bail System
Jarrett Murphy |
Many people in New York City’s jails today are behind bars only because they cannot afford the very low bail set in their minor criminal cases. This raises concerns about cost and justice.
Justice
Chapter 2: Process and Punishment in Arraignment Courts
Jarrett Murphy |
Crucial decisions in the city’s justice system are made under difficult circumstances—at overcrowded arraignment courts where judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers operate with little information and scarce time.
Housing and Homelessness
Chapter 3: Anatomy of The Bail Decision
Jarrett Murphy |
Who goes free and who gets bail? Myriad factors affect this most crucial decision in the criminal justice process.
Justice
Chapter 4: Judgment Calls—Judges and Bail
Jarrett Murphy |
For the people behind the bench in New York City courtrooms, the bail decision comes loaded with technical nuance and practical consequences.
Justice
Chapter 5: No Escape From The Politics Of Bail
Jarrett Murphy |
Bail does serve a purpose: preventing defendants from skipping court. But in legislatures and courthouses, there’s political pressure to also use it to punish.
Economy
Chapter 6: Bail, Truth and Consequences
Jarrett Murphy |
The decision to impose financial bail can have an impact on the city’s jail costs, the ability of the court system to establish truth and an individual’s work, family, housing and life.
Housing and Homelessness
Chapter 7: Room for Reform? Bail and its Alternatives
Jarrett Murphy |
Other cities have employed new methods of pre-trial monitoring to avoid setting financial bail. Given the scale of the city’s criminal justice system, would such an approach deliver both public safety and individual justice in New York?
