End of No-Bail Release in D.C.: Secured Financial Bond Required Before Trial
This Act introduces a major change to the pretrial release system in the District of Columbia. Moving forward, any individual charged with an offense who appears before a judicial officer must execute a secured appearance bond (bail bond) of a reasonably necessary amount to be released pending trial. This eliminates the option of being released solely on personal recognizance, aiming to enhance public safety by ensuring defendants provide financial assurance of their court appearance.
Key points
Bail Requirement: Individuals charged with an offense in D.C. can no longer be released pending trial without executing a secured appearance bond.
Elimination of Personal Recognizance: The option for release based solely on a personal promise to appear (personal recognizance) is repealed.
Restriction on Local Authority: The Act prohibits the D.C. Council and Mayor from enacting or enforcing any rule that permits release without a secured bail bond.
Immediate Effect: These new rules apply to all individuals charged with an offense who appear before a judicial officer, regardless of when the charges were filed.
Status:
Introduced
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