In the United States, people accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Yet nationwide, 65 percent of the people incarcerated in local jails are awaiting court proceedings, according to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics.

The gap between the law’s lofty ideals and today’s common practice has put the issue of pretrial release in the spotlight.

Not only could reform benefit the accused, it could help ease jail overcrowding.

The Clark County Jail regularly houses close to double its capacity, and the county says it faces an upgrade that could cost $63 million to $284 million lest the jail burst at the seams.

From 2009 to 2015, 59 percent of inmates at the Clark County Jail were being held before sentencing, according to information calculated by jail administrators. The average daily population for those years was about 718.

The statewide average for the period was 45 percent.

“More people in jail (means) more deputy sheriffs, you have to have more space, plan more medical care, I mean everything,” Clark County Superior Court Judge Scott Collier said. “It’s not inexpensive to house people in a county facility.”