Project Overview
This is a data visualization and web-map application we developed for Columbia Law School to map and visualize the bail bond in six American, to better understand the broad implications of bail bonds on urban communities and economic justice.
Background
Bail bonds fall into a legal grey area, blending elements of criminal, civil, and commercial law. They are often overlooked in academic legal studies but have significant impacts on urban life. Liens and forfeitures tied to bail bonds can exacerbate urban segregation and economic inequality, yet they remain an under-explored facet of the criminal justice system.
Research Questions:
1. What is the scope of bail bond liens and the frequency of their forfeiture across diverse urban communities?
2. Are specific urban communities disproportionately targeted by the bail bond industry?
3. How do bail bond agreements contribute to urban segregation and economic inequality?
4. What changes in these trends over 20 years?
Research Value:
The findings will provide valuable insights for policymakers, enabling them to reconsider the structure of bail systems, regulate bondsmen practices, and explore cost-effective alternatives that can reduce social harm.
