What you can do.
Cash bail reform happens through ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their own communities. Choose a pathway below and start where you are.
Educate
Understanding the current system is the first act of advocacy. Learn it deeply, then teach it.
Host a local forum with your faith or civic community by inviting Peter van Dorsten to speak.
Access online information available in our shared resource library.
Follow grassroots movements on social media and sign up for email newsletters from organizations doing the work.
Read research from policy organizations like UNC’s Criminal Justice Innovation Lab and the Vera Institute.
Mobilization starts with talking about it. Many churches have adopted resolutions condemning the current cash bail system.
Mobilize
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Consider adopting a resolution for your church or civic organization.
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Fundraise for an existing bail bond fund or start one.
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Sponsor a public informational session for your local community.
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Form an advocacy team within your congregation or civic group.
Organize
Build durable local infrastructure, including funds, court watch teams, and participatory defense, that supports people right where they live.
Start a local bail bond fund in partnership with The Bail Project.
Join or start a Court Watch team and report to the national repository.
Join or start a Participatory Defense team to work directly with public defenders.
There are grassroots efforts already aiming to reshape cash bail and mitigate the harm it causes against poor people. Your support matters.
Donate
Donate to The Bail Project.
Support NC bail funds: Asheville, Craven County, Forsyth County, Durham, Almond Connection (Guilford), Black People’s Community Justice Center (Charlotte).
Advocate
Start a conversation with those in power. Publicize the injustice. Talk to elected officials and ask what is happening locally.
Letters to the editor in your local newspaper (News & Observer, Carolina Public Press, NC News Line, Charlotte Observer, and others ).
Find out where your county officials stand on reform, start with the sheriff and district attorney.
Interview the chief district judge, chief magistrate, and public defender to learn about local pretrial practice.
Deepen Your Advocacy
Our Field Guide to Advocacy walks you through how to engage local decision-makers and navigate the system. While some legislation is no longer active in the NC General Assembly, local advocacy remains essential.
Look into where your county elected officials stand on reform. Start with the sheriff and district attorney and review publicly available data on pretrial detention.
Interview the chief district judge, chief magistrate, and public defender to understand how pretrial decisions are made locally.
Identify key decision-makers and prepare for outreach using official court resources.
Share what you learn with your faith community and begin shaping your next steps together.