Missouri House Democrats Outline Criminal Justice Reform Package

Missouri House Democrats have outlined a criminal justice reform package, reforms they say are aimed at producing more just and effective outcomes.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade of Springfield tells Capitol reporters that maintaining a strong criminal justice system means addressing its weaknesses:

Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Zel Fischer told lawmakers in January that too many Missourians who are arrested cannot afford bail, even for low-level offenses. St. Louis Democratic State Representative Steven Roberts has proposed a “Money Bail Reform Act.” Roberts says some poor defendants remain jailed awaiting trial “while a wealthier defendant can go free by pulling out his wallet.”