Pretrial Justice for Minnesota
We’re building a pretrial system that better accounts for community safety, empowers survivors and victims, and gives all defendants equal access to pretrial freedom and justice, regardless of how much money they have.
Explore our vision for pretrial justice and learn how we’re making that vision a reality.
Take action and join the movement for pretrial justice in Minnesota by becoming a member of the Coalition or Network, or by volunteering with Minnesota Freedom Fund’s Court Watch program to ensure the pretrial system does not operate in the dark.
Read about pretrial justice in the news and get updates about our movement.
Our Vision:
A pretrial system based on shared values, not access to wealth
We envision a pretrial system that more accurately accounts for community safety, prioritizes pretrial supports, increases victim and survivor agency, and makes decisions about pretrial release based on community well-being – not cash.
Our vision incorporates feedback from community members and criminal legal professionals, draws on extensive research compiled by the Pretrial Best Practices Project, and reflects values shared by Minnesotans.
Our Goals:
We’re fighting for a pretrial system where…
“Minnesota cannot fix what it cannot see. Through the people we have supported, our Court Watch program, and our post release work, Minnesota Freedom Fund has witnessed how inconsistent pretrial decisions and resources are across counties. That is why we support reforms like the Pretrial Data Transparency Act, Intentional Release and Detain, and investments in pretrial services to build a system that is transparent, fair, and centered on community safety.”
– Danielle Matthias, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Minnesota Freedom Fund
We’re Fighting for Pretrial Justice.
What Does That Mean?
Minnesota’s pretrial system is rigged against Black, brown, Indigenous, and poor people — and the disparities show in every step of the process. That’s why we must commit to a system-wide transformation, if we are going to build a pretrial system that prioritizes safety, liberty, and equity for all Minnesotans regardless of their race, class, or where they live.
Systems Change
Replace the current unfair, ineffective cash bail system with a system that allows judges to make decisions about pretrial detention based on community safety and well-being, instead of cash.
Support & Services
Instead of sidelining victims and detaining people who pose little risk of flight or harm, connect impacted people to pretrial supports so they have what they need for a healthy, stable life.
Transparency
Make pretrial practices transparent to the public, lawmakers, and criminal legal professionals so we can understand the status quo and measure progress as we achieve our goals.
“Extensive research conducted across the United States makes abundantly clear that pretrial detention has detrimental effects on accused people, their families, and their communities. Studies also show that releasing the vast majority of defendants pretrial does not negatively impact court appearance rates or long-term public safety.”
– “Toward Safety, Liberty, and Equity: A Community-Centered Framework for Redesigning Minnesota’s Pretrial System,”
Minnesota Justice Research Center (2025)
Join Our Movement
Join our movement to build a pretrial system that better accounts for community safety, empowers survivors and victims, and gives all defendants equal access to pretrial freedom and justice.