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Bernice Gao recently faced a significant legal challenge that has been dismissed by the court. This is good news!
And now the challenge. Despite an acknowledgment from the court that the case has no merit, Bernice had to put up $25,000 in bail bonds to keep herself out of jail. This amount will not be returned to her.
Why? The $25,000 was about 10% of the total amount of bail that was required. In this system, the bail bondsman agrees to pay the whole fee (say $250,000) if a defendant fails to appear at court. As part of this arrangement, the $25,000 is kept by the bondsman as a service fee.
To make this payment, Bernice had to use all her scholarship money, her financial aid funding and all of her savings. Needless to say, she needs help to recoup this expense.
Please give what you are able. Every little bit counts.
A Little About Bernice:
Bernice is just five classes away from earning her bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University in Environmental and Asian American Studies. She is passionate about promoting environmental stewardship and community development, and committed to addressing environmental justice issues in Southeast San Francisco while connecting people to their local parks. She is currently working with College Track to support incoming freshman and sophomores as they transition into San Francisco State University. Since her early teens, Bernice has served as a participant, volunteer, intern and then staff person at a wide variety of local environmental and social justice organizations. She has made a wide circle of advocates, supporters and fans through her work. Thank you for helping with this campaign.
And now the challenge. Despite an acknowledgment from the court that the case has no merit, Bernice had to put up $25,000 in bail bonds to keep herself out of jail. This amount will not be returned to her.
Why? The $25,000 was about 10% of the total amount of bail that was required. In this system, the bail bondsman agrees to pay the whole fee (say $250,000) if a defendant fails to appear at court. As part of this arrangement, the $25,000 is kept by the bondsman as a service fee.
To make this payment, Bernice had to use all her scholarship money, her financial aid funding and all of her savings. Needless to say, she needs help to recoup this expense.
Please give what you are able. Every little bit counts.
A Little About Bernice:
Bernice is just five classes away from earning her bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University in Environmental and Asian American Studies. She is passionate about promoting environmental stewardship and community development, and committed to addressing environmental justice issues in Southeast San Francisco while connecting people to their local parks. She is currently working with College Track to support incoming freshman and sophomores as they transition into San Francisco State University. Since her early teens, Bernice has served as a participant, volunteer, intern and then staff person at a wide variety of local environmental and social justice organizations. She has made a wide circle of advocates, supporters and fans through her work. Thank you for helping with this campaign.