A person accused of shoplifting sits in jail for six months awaiting trial because they cannot afford $500 bail. They lose their job, their apartment, and eventually plead guilty just to get out, even though they maintain innocence. Another person charged with a serious assault is released on bail because they can afford the $50,000 amount, returning to the community where their alleged victim lives in fear. Someone deemed low-risk by an algorithm is released and reoffends. Another flagged as high-risk by the same algorithm spends months detained before charges are dropped.