An evenly divided court could decide the fate of many cases watched closely by state and local officials.
The people who decide criminals’ freedom are often ill-equipped to make informed decisions. That’s where risk assessment tools come in, but they aren't always used.
Poor criminal defendants rarely get an attorney who has time to adequately defend them. Some states, spurred by lawsuits, are starting to address the issue.
If New Mexico's voters change controversial bail policies this fall, they would energize a national movement to reform court fees and penalties that keep lower-income Americans locked up.
