Thread by @smulawdeason

Most Americans expect that if they are arrested, they will quickly appear before a judge, learn about the charges, and have an attorney assigned to defend them. The reality is vastly different.

Learn more: bit.ly/3aavePq
#CJReform #Pretrial
1/6

The law allows detention for days, weeks, or even months, without a court appearance. The Supreme Court has not guaranteed prompt initial appearances for all. The result is a patchwork of state laws in which 34 states have no clear deadlines.

bit.ly/3uDehXe
2/6

Initial appearances should happen within 24 hours after arrest. But courts have consistently denied relief to defendants who had to wait weeks for a lawyer's help.

Read more: bit.ly/3uDehXe
#CJReform #Pretrial
3/6

A delayed initial appearance without a lawyer can have dire consequences.

A person may endure longer #Pretrial detention, placing them at increased risk of trauma and violence, and jeopardizing their employment and housing.

Read more: bit.ly/3uDehXe
#CJReform
4/6

People detained before trial are at greater risk of coerced confessions and unforced legal errors. They also have worse case outcomes.

Learn more about the #InitialAppearanceCrisis in our new report: bit.ly/3aavePq
#CJReform #Pretrial
5/6

Leaving a presumptively innocent person behind bars for days, weeks, or months without an attorney also wastes government resources. #Pretrial incarceration costs communities millions of dollars a day.

Read more: bit.ly/3uDehXe
#CJReform
6/6