Mission Statement

The objective is to generate funds to offer free bail to inmates in the Dallas County Jail who cannot pay it, allowing them to fight their cases from a position of liberty while maintaining their right to the presumption of innocence.

Community bail funds post monetary bail for people who cannot pay it, not just to give them a fair chance in the criminal justice system, but also to reunite them with their families and communities, according to organizers.

Bail funds cover the full cost of a cash bail so that individuals do not have to bear the financial burden of bail on their own. The funds are a non-profit alternative to the for-profit bail bonds business, in which a bondsperson charges and retains a part of the total bail amount — often around 10% — to post bail.

News

Bail funds have seen an increase in attention and contributions over the last few years. Some Texas legislators have resurrected their efforts to pass legislation restricting certain forms of bail and limiting who may use community bail monies to post bond.

"People In Jail Before Trial Risk Losing Jobs, Kids. This SMU Student Wants To Bail Them Out"

Courtney Collins | March 13, 2018

"While Dallas County struggles with reform, an SMU student is helping get poor defendants out of jail"

James Ragland | March 8, 2018

"States are trying to change a system that keeps poor people in jail. The bail industry is blocking them."

Collette Richards & Drew Griffin | August 30, 2019