3 ms·

I'm not from the US, could someone explain to me this part: "in federal criminal cases, bail is governed by the Bail Reform Act of 1984. That scheme starts out

I'm not from the US, could someone explain to me this part: "in federal criminal cases, bail is governed by the Bail Reform Act of 1984. That scheme starts out with a presumption that a person should be released on their own recognizance or on an unsecured appearance bond — that is, a promise to pay a certain amount of money if they fail to show up for court.". If someone fails to show up in court not because he forgets, but because, for example, he flees the country, how is he expected to keep the promise? In case of SBF, as I understand, his parents and some other people would have to pay some part of that 250m (because they can't afford the entire sum before going bankrupt), but is that it?

twblalock 4y ago
Everyone who would be on the hook to pay his bail, including his own parents, has a very powerful incentive to make sure he makes his trial appearance. In addition to that, there probably isn't anywhere he could flee to that would not put him on trial or send him back to the US. FTX screwed customers in many countries. Plus, the guy doesn't have any money. He lost access to FTX. How would he pay for his escape? Why would anyone be willing to risk helping him? Everyone who had anything to do with him or FTX is trying very hard right now to distance themselves. Given all of that, I don't think it's unreasonable for a judge to decide that SBF's flight risk is below the bar that would normally be required to deny bail.