Bail in the Midwest, SPECIAL EDITION! The High Cost of Cashless Bail

In this solo episode, host Shane Rolf examines the growing use of “cashless bail” and how these policies often lead to preventable tragedies. Drawing on recent high-profile cases from North Carolina, Illinois and Kansas --  including the murders of Iryna Zarutska -- individuals with extensive criminal histories are frequently released on signature bonds, despite prior failures to appear and escalating conduct.  He also highlights new research from California’s Yolo County which has seen higher rates of new crimes, violent offenses and repeat arrests from individuals released on zero-bail.  This episode offers a forceful critique of cashless bail policies and calls for legislative reform and greater judicial accountability to protect public safety.