What is one reason for the criticism of monetary bail?

One prominent reason for the criticism of monetary bail is that it can create inequality for low-income defendants. The monetary bail system requires individuals to pay a certain amount of money to secure their release before trial. This creates a significant disparity, as wealthier defendants can afford to pay bail and secure their freedom, while those from lower-income backgrounds may be unable to do so, leading to their continued detention.

This situation raises serious ethical concerns and complicates the fairness of the judicial process, as being unable to afford bail can result in a person losing their job, housing, or access to family, significantly affecting their lives long before their case is resolved. This inequality can disproportionately impact marginalized communities and exacerbate existing social disparities within the criminal justice system.

In contrast, the other options conveyed ideals that do not fully reflect the realities surrounding monetary bail. For instance, monetary bail does not always guarantee that defendants will appear in court, nor does it necessarily lead to a fairer justice system. Additionally, it is not applied uniformly across all cases, as many jurisdictions have differing bail policies and practices.