State and Federal Lawmakers Push for Increased Use of Cash Bail

 Posted on November 12, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Bail reform is an issue that has been addressed by many criminal justice advocates. People who are arrested and charged with crimes will often be required to pay a certain amount of money before they can be released. Advocates have highlighted how these requirements affect people who do not have the financial means to pay bail, forcing them to remain in the custody of law enforcement while awaiting trial. While some states have taken steps to reduce or eliminate the use of cash bail, certain lawmakers and government officials are working to reverse these trends.

Issues related to bail and pretrial release can be complicated. Without legal representation, people who are arrested may be required to pay high amounts of bail, or they may be unable to secure a release. An experienced attorney can provide the legal help needed to advocate for a reduction or elimination of bail requirements while also helping to defend against a criminal conviction.

President Trump Attempts to End Cashless Bail

On August 25, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order with the stated purpose of ending cashless bail in the United States. Each state sets its own rules regarding bail in state-level criminal proceedings, and the president or other federal government officials do not have any authority to dictate how states may address this issue. However, the executive order directed the Attorney General to name jurisdictions that have reduced or eliminated the use of cash bail, and it stated that federal funds to those jurisdictions could be suspended or terminated. This order is meant to encourage states to reverse policies that allow for cashless bail and ensure that cash bail requirements will apply to people who have been arrested.

States Take Steps to Limit Cashless Bail and Pretrial Release

In several states, lawmakers and government officials have begun to pass laws or implement new policies that may require people to pay cash bail or reduce the possibility of pretrial release for certain offenders. In North Carolina, state legislators have proposed a law that would require cash bail for people who have one or more previous convictions for violent offenses. In New York, some legislators have proposed legislation that would limit pretrial release while also reversing a law that prevents judges from considering a person’s "dangerousness" when establishing bail. Texas has passed laws that have limited options for cashless bail, and voters recently passed a constitutional amendment that allows judges to deny bail for people charged with certain types of violent crimes.

How Cash Bail Is Handled in Connecticut

While Connecticut has not taken steps to end cash bail, it has implemented policies in recent years that are meant to reduce the financial burdens for people who are arrested and charged with crimes. Currently, in cases where bail is set at $50,000 or less, a defendant has the option to deposit 7 percent of the full amount of bail, which will allow them to secure a release while awaiting trial. This amount is refundable once a criminal case is completed.

Contact Our Connecticut Criminal Defense Attorneys for Bail

As the laws and rules surrounding bail change, people who have been arrested will need to understand their options and the steps they can take to secure a release from custody. At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, our Hartford criminal defense lawyers can provide effective representation in bail hearings, working to ensure that our clients can be released while minimizing their financial burdens. We can also work to defend against criminal charges, helping to avoid convictions whenever possible. To set up a free consultation and learn how we can assist with these matters, contact us at 860-290-8690.