Controversy over Pretrial Detention

On a recent episode of “CNN News Night,” Kevin O’Leary, known from “Shark Tank,” engaged in a heated debate with political consultant Tezlin Figaro about the topic of pretrial detention in the justice system.

A report from the Council on Criminal Justice predicts that by 2025, the murder rate across 30 major U.S. cities will drop by 21%, marking the largest reduction in a single year. Figaro argued during the discussion that some individuals end up in prison without having committed any crime.

“Not everyone breaks the law all the time and goes to prison. You’re focusing too much on financial markets, not on real issues,” Figaro stated, but O’Leary swiftly countered, saying, “No, no. I focus on the law. If you want to avoid prison, don’t break the law.”

Figaro emphasized the importance of due process, mentioning that there are people who can’t afford bail and thus remain incarcerated without conviction. O’Leary, however, pressed her, asking, “So you believe that someone who commits murder shouldn’t be jailed?”

As the discussion moved back and forth, host Abbey Phillippe intervened, saying, “Okay, we’re discussing many aspects here. Figaro has a point about individuals being in jail without trial, which certainly raises questions.”

O’Leary reiterated, “If you don’t want to go to jail, just don’t break the law,” to which Phillippe reminded him, “You’re innocent until proven guilty; that’s a foundational principle.” O’Leary, undeterred, pointed out that in the U.S., those accused of crimes are held accountable for their actions.