What important reform did the Federal Bail Reform Act of 1966 aim to achieve?

The Federal Bail Reform Act of 1966 primarily aimed to prevent wrongful detentions based on poverty, which is a significant issue within the criminal justice system. Prior to this reform, many individuals were held in jail simply because they could not afford bail, regardless of the severity of their alleged crime or the risk they posed to society. The Act sought to ensure that bail determinations would consider not just the financial status of the individual but also the likelihood of their appearance in court and any potential danger to the community.

This shift emphasized the principle of fairness, advocating that individuals should not be incarcerated merely due to their inability to pay for bail. As a result, the reform led to more equitable practices in pretrial release and supported the idea that the presumption of innocence should extend through the pretrial phase. By focusing on these factors, the Act ultimately aimed to create a more just system that recognizes the rights of individuals regardless of their economic status.