Bail Reform Quiz

Question 3: True or false: A defendant in Washington always has an attorney present when bail is set.
The correct answer is: False

In many city and county courts throughout Washington, a judge sets bail before the defendant is appointed a lawyer. This puts poor people accused of crimes at a disadvantage from the very beginning of their case. An attorney can provide the judge with helpful information and make arguments in support of release from jail. Even in jurisdictions that do have a public defender representing an accused person at the initial appearance, the public defender is often covering a full case docket and is given insufficient time to prepare adequately on behalf of the accused.

Learn more about Washington’s pre-trial bail system and why we should reform it. Download a free copy of our position paper, “No Money, No Freedom.”