Bill Overview
Title: Concerned Citizens Bill of Rights Act
Description: This bill requires state and local governments, as a condition of certain grant funding, to annually (1) report on any of their policies that result in a lack of law enforcement or prosecution of criminal offenses, and (2) certify that they do not have any policies that prohibit money bail for felonies or violent misdemeanors.
Sponsors: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Target Audience
Population: people interacting with or affected by the criminal justice system
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The bill impacts policies related to law enforcement and prosecution, which typically involves individuals involved in or affected by criminal justice proceedings.
- The certification against policies prohibiting money bail indicates an influence on pretrial detainees and those at risk of facing felony or violent misdemeanor charges.
- State and local government actions under this bill could impact crime reporting, prosecutions, pretrial release processes, and ultimately community safety dynamics.
Reasoning
- Focused on a mix of perspectives from those most likely affected—individuals in pretrial detention, family members, law enforcement, and marginalized communities.
- Considering the policy's nature, it may also affect community safety perceptions and potentially the psychological wellbeing of individuals within the justice system.
- Selected people based on commonness and indirect impacts, knowing the policy mostly targets legal and pretrial processes.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (Oakland, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems like a step backward, enforcing money bail makes it hard for people like me to stay out of jail while waiting for a trial.
- Concerned about ending up back in jail just because I can't afford bail.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
School Teacher (Columbus, OH)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If it improves accountability in local law enforcement, it might make our community safer, but I'm worried about those who can't afford bail.
- It's a balance between safety and fairness; the policy doesn't address the root causes of crime.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Probation Officer (New York, NY)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enforcing bail might reduce jail overcrowding but increases stress on the system and affects my work monitoring those on pre-trial release.
- Worried about an increase in caseloads and repeat offenders.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
College Student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 21 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy feels like it's targeting minority communities adversely, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
- It makes me think about safety, but also justice and equality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 9 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about crime rates, but fairness in the justice system is equally important.
- Concerned that this might lead to further injustices for those who can't afford bail.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Police Officer (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supporting this policy could make my job harder or easier depending on the enforcement and public reaction.
- Potential to restore some public trust, but also could complicate community relations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Defense Attorney (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see it as a step back from bail reform efforts, affecting those unable to pay bail disproportionately.
- Worried about the added burden on our system and clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Retail Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear getting stuck in jail if I can't make bail for something minor again.
- Feels like a punishment for being poor.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
Public Health Researcher (Houston, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Strengthening community support systems could be more effective than enforcing money bail.
- Concern for how this policy may exacerbate health disparities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Judge (Miami, FL)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might streamline certain aspects but could also complicate bail hearings.
- Need judicial discretion safeguarded to ensure justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $130000000)
Year 2: $102000000 (Low: $71400000, High: $132600000)
Year 3: $104040000 (Low: $72828000, High: $135252000)
Year 5: $108160000 (Low: $75632000, High: $140608000)
Year 10: $115928000 (Low: $81149600, High: $150705600)
Year 100: $222197056 (Low: $155537939, High: $280856173)
Key Considerations
- State and local variations in compliance costs due to differing existing systems and resources.
- Potential legal challenges or adjustments to new reporting or certification requirements.
- Community responses could influence broader enforcement and judicial practices, affecting the legislation's efficacy.