PSB Family Advocates Program
Summary:
Judges have figured out sneaky (and questionably legal) ways to keep people in jail who should be free. This is “silent rollback” of bail reform and it must be stopped. We need your help as a trained committed volunteer to halt the rollback, ensure the law is followed and that families are no longer mistreated. They need you to stand up for them. And so do we.
Program Description:
A critical component of the 2018 bail reform law was the requirement that all judges offer a PSB option in addition to conventional cash bail. PSB is a formerly obscure procedure in which friends and family members appear in court and deposit 10% of the bail amount, which is returned once proceedings are concluded. They take upon themselves liability for the entire bail if their loved one does not appear. PSBs are the most important part of satisfying the law's intent to provide financially manageable means for families to secure the release of their loved ones. Judges and clerks are now gutting this option with impunity and violating the spirit and sometimes the letter of the law.
We are seeking one dozen volunteers in a pilot cohort to work with families, getting them ready for court and then accompanying them to go before the judge. You are their only advocate as they struggle with an opaque process, hostile clerks and disrespectful judges. Your presence will increase the likelihood that they get justice and their loved one is freed.
You'll be trained in court procedures and how to work with families as well as in techniques of Participatory Defense. You'll be backed by experienced colleagues and comprehensive online resources. Once trained, you'll receive case referrals from public defenders and contact families to explain their options and prepare them for court. You'll help them complete necessary paperwork and rehearse their court appearance so they’re prepared for judges who seem to delight in intimidating and harassing them.
On a day of your choosing you'll accompany the family to court, understanding that you may have to wait all day for a five-minute hearing. You'll advocate for the family in the courthouse to ensure they aren't misinformed or misled by court clerks.
After the hearing you'll document the proceedings and collect vital data about this arcane system. If the judge turns the family down you'll regroup and strategize your next attempt. You'll share outcome and case status information with your peers so we can accumulate knowledge, identify trends and best support one another.
This is a serious undertaking; once trained you'll need to commit to six months of service. You'll have two cases at all times and should expect to spend an hour or two a week speaking with families and colleagues. You'll be in court one day a month, in your borough on a day of your choosing. This is a volunteer position. You will receive a lot of teary hugs though.
No knowledge of or experience with the legal system is required. Familiarity with the complex challenges and circumstances faced by families ensnared in the criminal legal system is preferred.
The only requirements are that you are:
Highly Responsible
Highly Organized
Detail Oriented
Reliable and Consistent
Have A Burning Passion To Right Injustice
If there’s any question in your mind as to whether you possess these qualities then this isn’t the right opportunity for you. If you can make a six-month commitment (once you determine whether it suits you) then please apply here. Please also register for our one-hour zoom infosession on June 13th at 7 PM
Though this program is distinct - and experimental - it’s being developed in association with the Emergency Release Fund.