The Agenda for Pretrial Justice
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature asked the Minnesota Justice Research Center (MNJRC) to study the pretrial system and make evidence-based recommendations to transform it. Their six policy recommendations, compiled during nearly two years of research and community engagement, inform our vision for pretrial justice.
We need to do more than nibble around the edges. Pretrial justice in Minnesota requires us to transform our current practices and create a new pretrial system that will…
Expand Cite & Release
Instead of arresting people and booking them into jail, law enforcement should expand the use of cite and release, where – like a traffic ticket – a person receives a citation and appears in court at a later date.
Guarantee Council at Bail Hearings
Every person should be represented by an attorney at hearings where bail and other pretrial conditions are decided.
End the Use of Cash Bail
Courts should stop using money to determine whether a person is released or detained pretrial, and instead make those decisions based on data and community well-being.
Make Freedom the Assumption
Pretrial release should be the presumption and not the exception. And when judges set conditions for release, they should use the fewest, least restrictive conditions necessary.
Fund Pretrial Services
Pretrial service organizations should be created and funded to connect people to resources and help navigate the court process.
Support Victims of Harm
Victims of harm should be heard throughout the pretrial process, provided notice of case developments, and have access to wraparound services.
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.