Aitabdel Salem spent five long months in New York’s infamous Rikers Island prison before learning that he could have posted bail for just $2. Salem was detained for allegedly assaulting a New York City police officer and his bail was set at $25,000. A week later, when prosecutors were unable to secure an indictment against him, Salem was ordered released by a judge. However, he still had outstanding $1 bails on two unrelated offenses, tampering and mischief. Judges will often set bail at $1 for lesser charges when a defendant’s existing bail on more serious offenses is deemed sufficient. Not knowing that freedom would have cost him a mere $2, Salem remained locked up at Rikers Island. Eventually, Salem got curious about his bail and questioned a corrections officer. Upon learning that he was being held on just $2 bail, Salem posted the amount and was released immediately. Glenn Hardy, Salem’s attorney, said the real issue that should be of great concern to everyone involved is why the District Attorney chose to prosecute Salem, a waste of juror time and taxpayer money, on a case where he knew he had no evidence.
