In New York, graffiti is practically part of the local landscape. Everywhere you go, you see bright lettering, splashes of color, and even large murals displaying some personal, social, or political messages on the side of a building and on or around bridges and overpasses. Although graffiti makers and their supporters proclaim its artistic value,…

Traditionally, the only way to post bail for someone in New York City was to make the payment in person at one of the jails or courts. A fax message was then sent to the facility holding the person to indicate that their bail was posted and they were free to go. The system’s flaws…