CHAPTER 35
Bail
§ 9071. Right to bail.
§ 9072. Who may fix bail; allowing bail after conviction.
§ 9073. Notice by police of requests to have bail fixed.
§ 9074. Amount of bail.
§ 9075. Form and disposition of bail; sufficiency of sureties.
§ 9076. Modification of bail.
§ 9077. Exoneration and release of bail.
§ 9078. Personal recognizance.
(1) Any person arrested for a criminal offense, other than murder in the first degree, shall be entitled as a matter of right to be released on bail before conviction; provided, however, that no person shall be so released while he is so under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs that there is a reasonable ground to believe he will be offensive to the general public.
(2) A person arrested for murder in the first degree may be released on bail by any judge who is authorized to be assigned by the chief justice to sit in the appellate division of the Chuuk State Supreme Court high court; provided, that the Attorney General district attorney shall be given reasonable opportunity to be heard before any application for bail is granted.
Source: (Code 1966, § 468; Code 1970, tit. 12, § 251.) 12 TTC 6 § 251, modified.
In the case of any person arrested for a criminal offense, other than murder in the first degree, any court or any official authorized to issue a warrant may fix the bail prior to conviction. This may be done at the time of issuing the warrant and endorsed on the warrant or may be done at any time prior to conviction. After conviction bail may be allowed only if a stay of execution of the sentence has been granted and only in the exercise of discretion by a court authorized to order a stay or by a judge or justice thereof.
Source: (Code 1966, § 469; Code 1970, tit. 12, § 252.) 12 TTC 6 § 252, modified.
When any arrested person for whom
bail has not been fixed, or to whom bail has been once denied in the case
of murder in the first degree, notifies any policeman or jail attendant
that he desires to give bail, an official authorized to fix bail shall be
promptly notified by the police authorities. The arrested person
shall be brought before the official for this purpose if the official so
requests.
Source: (Code 1966, § 470; Code 1970, tit. 12, § 253.) 12 TTC 6 § 253.
The amount of bail shall be such as,
in the judgment of the court or official fixing it, will insure the
presence of the accused in the future. The determination of the court or
official should take into account the nature and circumstances of the
offense charged, the weight of the evidence against him, the financial
ability of the accused to give bail and the character of the
accused.
Source: (Code 1966, § 471; Code 1970, tit. 12, § 254.) 12 TTC 6 § 254.
Cash or bonds or notes of the United States may be accepted as bail. If a bail bond is given, one or more sureties may be required. A person of good standing in the community who is in a position of moral or customary authority over the accused, such as his father, the head of his extended family group, or the chief of his lineage or clan, may be accepted as surety without the disclosure of property by way of justification, if the official taking bail or determining the sufficiency of the surety considers that such surety will reasonably guarantee the appearance of the accused. Otherwise, no surety or sureties are to be accepted unless their combined net worth over and above all just debts and obligations is not less than the amount of the bond. Any surety may be required to furnish proof of his sufficiency, either by his own oath or otherwise. If the official to whom the bail is tendered refuses to accept the surety or sureties offered, the question of their sufficiency shall, at the request of the accused, be referred promptly to a judge for determination. The determination of the judge shall be final. Any bail accepted shall be promptly transmitted to the clerk of courts for the Chuuk State Supreme Court district; provided, that when a person has been released to appear in accordance with the orders of a municipal community court, the bail shall be transmitted to the clerk of the municipal community court.
Source: (Code 1966, § 472; Code 1970, tit. 12, § 255.) 12 TTC 6 § 255, modified.
The court before which a criminal
case is pending may, for cause shown, either increase or decrease the bail
or require an additional surety or sureties or allow substitution of
sureties. If increased bail or an additional surety or sureties is
required, the accused may be committed to custody unless he gives bail in
the increased amount or furnishes additional surety or sureties as
required.
Source: (Code 1966, § 473; Code 1970, tit. 12, § 256.) 12 TTC 6 § 256.
When the condition for which the bail
was given has been satisfied, the court shall exonerate the obligors and
release any bail. A surety may be exonerated by a deposit of cash in
the amount of the bail bond or by a timely surrender of the accused into
custody.
Source: (Code 1966, § 473; Code 1970, tit. 12, § 257.) 12 TTC 6 § 257.
In the case of an arrest for any criminal offense, the lawful punishment for which does not exceed a fine of one hundred dollars or six months imprisonment or both, any court or official authorized to fix bail may, in the exercise of discretion, order that the arrested person be released on his personal recognizance in such sum as the court or official may fix, without security, into the custody of a responsible member of the community, provided the arrested person has a usual place of abode or of business or employment in the State of Chuuk Trust Territory.
Source: (Code 1966, § 475; Code 1970, tit. 12, § 258.) 12 TTC 6 § 258, modified.