University of Virginia Law School, Upturn, and Human Rights Data Analysis Group created a pretrial risk assessment primer that explores ways risk assessment tools can support implementing bail reform. The primer gives an overview of the issues involved in risk assessment, including how it works, the role of judicial discretion, available research on risk assessment, and common concerns. As a national debate unfolds about the role of pretrial risk assessment tools in justice reform, the MacArthur-supported primer provides judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys with the background information to have informed discussions about whether and how they can use risk assessment tools in their local contexts.
