2018 -- S 2141

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LC003731

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL HEARINGS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Archambault, Conley, McCaffrey, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 12-13 of the General Laws entitled "Bail and Recognizance" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     12-13-26. Time limits for bail hearings.

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     (a) Whenever any person has been charged with an offense punishable by imprisonment

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for life, of an offense involving the use or threat of use of a dangerous weapon by one already

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convicted of such an offense or already convicted of an offense punishable by imprisonment for

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life, or an offense involving the unlawful sale, distribution, manufacturer, delivery, or possession

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with intent to manufacture, sell, distribute or deliver any controlled substance or an offense of

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possession of a controlled substance punishable by imprisonment for ten (10) years or more, and

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the state objects to bail, then the person shall be entitled to an evidentiary hearing to determine if

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the person may be admitted to bail or continue to be held without bail.

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     (b) The bail hearing shall occur no later than four (4) calendar days after the person's

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initial appearance before the court on the charge.

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     (c) In the event the bail hearing does not occur within four (4) calendar days, the person

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shall be released upon their own recognizance or with sufficient surety or sureties as determined

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by the court.

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     (d) The time limit for the hearing may be waived by the person so charged, after they

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have been informed by the court of their rights pursuant to this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL HEARINGS

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     This act would entitle criminal defendants charged with enumerated serious criminal

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offenses to a bail hearing within four (4) calendar days of their initial court appearance. If a

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timely hearing is not held then the defendant would be released on personal recognizance or with

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sufficient surety.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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