You be the judge: Bail

This is the first in a series of educational efforts to engage the public on issues related to judicial independence and decision making. The Trial Court Public Outreach Committee produced this online presentation as an educational tool to explore the question of bail in an interactive manner. A brief introduction outlines the law on bail. Three mock bail arguments follow. At the conclusion of each role play, the audience is instructed, “You be the Judge.” A discussion can then occur on how the various bail factors weigh differently in each case and the complexities of determining bail.

Bail videos

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You skipped the video, Judicial Independence in Massachusetts: Bail. - Introduction.

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice David Lowy introduces the law on bail.

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You skipped the video, Judicial Independence in Massachusetts: Bail - Role Play #1.

Role Play #1: Commonwealth v. Alan Sharpe. This video highlights the different factors the law takes into consideration in determining the question of bail.

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You skipped the video, Judicial Independence in Massachusetts: Bail - Role Play #2.

Role Play #2: Commonwealth v. Dequon Salim. This video highlights the different factors the law takes into consideration in determining the question of bail.

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You skipped the video, Judicial Independence in Massachusetts: Bail - Role Play #3.

Role Play #3: Commonwealth v. Eileen Krauss. This video highlights the different factors the law takes into consideration in determining the question of bail.

Bail factors

• Bail factors: Factors to consider when setting bail or terms of release

Bail video role plays

• Bail video role plays: A description of the role plays from the bail videos