Philadelphia DA ends cash-bail for many non-violent crimes

Philadelphia’s District Attorney Larry Krasner on Wednesday said the city will no longer seek bail payment for a number of misdemeanor and non-violent felony crimes, effective immediately. Some of the 25 offenses that will no longer require cash bail are driving while intoxicated, forgery and possession of marijuana.

Why it matters: This comes amid heightened political momentum in some parts of the country such as California, New York and Texas to reduce the use of monetary bail, which justice reform advocates have long decried as unfair to minorities and the poor who are disproportionately affected. Krasner said his move will not only "save the taxpayers money by allowing low-level defendants to maintain their freedom, but it will begin to level the economic and racial playing field in our courtrooms.”