Sarah Staudt

she/her pronouns.

[Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice @endmoneybond]

Misinformation & pretrial reform go together like peanut butter & jelly.

WGN's alarmist headline ignores that the Chief Judge's preliminary data shows rearrest rates are DOWN since the Pretrial Fairness Act took effect, even for violent offenses.

[Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice @endmoneybond]

Good morning, Illinois.

No matter what happens today, no one will be sent to a jail cell simply because they can't afford to pay a bond!

[Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice @endmoneybond]

Illinois ending money bond is only possible because of the thousands of everyday people across our state that came together and said "we are not going to tolerate our neighbors being held in cages because they're poor."

Our movement has made history.

[Sarah Staudt @staudt_sarah]

I just let out a breath I've been holding for 7 months. This is a massive win for freedom and justice, not just for Illinois, but for the whole nation.

[Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice @endmoneybond]

Today, the Illinois Supreme Court issued the strongest possible decision finding the Pretrial Fairness Act constitutional and directing courts across the state to implement the law and end the use of money bond on September 18, 2023. 🧵
https://t.co/BgTMaANeks

[Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice @endmoneybond]

On April 7, 2023, Sheriff Dart re-enacted a policy that limits incarcerated people to three books per person (including magazines but excluding religious texts).

Let's take a look at how that policy is impacting people incarcerated in Cook County Jail and how you can help.

[Sarah Staudt @staudt_sarah]

These charges are wildly anti-democratic and should scare everyone, regardless of your political affiliation.

[Amanda Klonsky @amandaklonsky1]

Happening now in Atlanta: "In what is a first in recent memory, prosecutors are openly charging people with felonies simply for being organizers within a bail collective that uses legally established procedures to post bail for movement allies." https://t.co/5LojV9lKBQ

[Sarah Staudt @staudt_sarah]

@jonahshai I still remember when I first read this article. I don't think I could make myself read it again, but it has left a lifelong impression.

[Shannon Heffernan @shannon_h]

Cook County MISTAKENLY put felonies on people's records-- that has huge consequences for work, housing, and education. In Malcom's case... it made him homeless. https://t.co/pZwph9PAYL

[Patrice James @PatriceAJames]

Organized people beat organized money. #ChicagoMayoralElection #Chicagopolitics

[Sarah Staudt @staudt_sarah]

I love this messy, beautiful, hardworking city tonight. It's a new day.

[Cook County Public Defender’s Office @CookCoDefender]

We’re thrilled to share that SB1886: Fair Probation Drug Testing passed the Illinois Senate today! We have huge gratitude for our partner organizations & sponsors. Now, on to the house! #twill

[Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts @ChiAppleseed]

🧵 The fact that Cook County's "Brady/Giglio List" is finally public is a big deal. These lists include cops that prosecutors "do not call" to testify because they're untrustworthy, and this is the first time that Cook County's list has been published. https://t.co/hmQZ4j0BtK

[Sarah Staudt @staudt_sarah]

@soit_goes Don't you see, OBVIOUSLY there are only two choices - violent, dangerous enforcement of petty laws, or Minority Report. There couldn't possibly be another option.

[Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts @ChiAppleseed]

Ordinance 02023-904 is the latest in a series of Chicago City Council proposals aimed to create hefty municipal punishments and mandatory jail time for charges that already are prosecuted in the county courts.
https://t.co/8HdzU1rn6I

[Cook County Public Defender’s Office @CookCoDefender]

This new charge is particularly concerning because people with disabilities are killed by police at very high rates.

As @namiillinois discusses here, Laquan McDonald was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was killed by Chicago Police in 2014.
https://t.co/NYj1G7TUfU

[Cook County Public Defender’s Office @CookCoDefender]

At a time when Chicago residents overwhelmingly support developing non-police responses to mental health crises like #TreatmentNotTrauma, the City Council is instead considering an ordinance that does the exact opposite and criminalizes people in crisis.
https://t.co/MO4ayZKhwJ

[Cook County Public Defender’s Office @CookCoDefender]

Because there are state criminal charges that already allow for prosecution of the same conduct, @ChiAppleseed reviewed the City's own data. @staudt_sarah found that 68% of "aggravated assault" cases filed 2019-2021 involved only "hands, fists, feet" and "no/minor injury."

[Cook County Public Defender’s Office @CookCoDefender]

This ordinance would create a new charge available directly to police to charge anyone who allegedly gave the impression they would make "insulting" physical contact with a police officer or an emergency worker. Again, no actual contact—much less injury—is required.

[Cook County Public Defender’s Office @CookCoDefender]

So what is even to be gained by creating a new ordinance violation (essentially a misdemeanor) for the same behavior?

Well, misdemeanors can be charged directly by police. Felony assault or battery charges, in contrast, must be approved by the @cookcountysao.