We are winning the fight against money bail. Recently, newly elected Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner made the bold and important decision to instruct all prosecutors in the city to end the use of cash bail against people accused of non-violent offenses. This is already huge progress. Activists, grassroots leaders, and community members have been working non-stop to build Black political power and build a strong movement to end the money bail system. Now it is time for more District Attorneys across the country to step up and stop using money bail.  

Right now, hundreds of thousands of people who have yet to be convicted of a crime languish in jails every day because they can’t afford to purchase their freedom. But even worse, when a family can manage to bail someone out, they get caught up in the bail industry's never ending debt trap. The money bail system has nearly drained the lives and stability of our communities.  We still carry the heartbreaking memories of Sandra Bland and Kalief Browder who's lives were lost because of the cruel money bail system. Prosecutors are not only elected by the people, but they hold an immense amount of power and influence that determines the fragile fate of those accused of crimes. Prosecutors have a responsibility to constituents to combat injustice and ensure fairness before even entering the courtroom.

Will you join Color Of Change members as we continue to hold prosecutors accountable and tell your District Attorney to combat mass incarceration and take action to limit the use of money bail by:

1. Establish an office-wide policy that prosecutors will presume release. Only extenuating circumstances should lead to prosecutorial requests for pre-trial detention.
2. Support transformative local and statewide bail reform efforts. 

Here is the Petition:

Dear District Attorney:

I ask that you immediately take action to combat mass incarceration by ending the use of money bail. Thousands of people who have yet to be convicted of a crime languish in our jails every day because they can’t afford to purchase their freedom. You hold the power to stop this injustice!

Commit to fighting mass incarceration by enacting the following demands.

1. Establishing an office-wide policy that prosecutors will presume release. Only extenuating circumstances should lead to prosecutorial requests for pre-trial detention.
2. Support transformative local and statewide bail reform efforts. 

Sincerely,

{YOUR NAME}