Guidelines On The Amount Of Bail

Sec.  9.  Amount  of  bail;  guidelines.  –  The  judge  who  issued  the warrant or granted the application shall fix a reasonable amount of bail considering primarily, but not limited to, the following factors:

(a) Financial liability of the accused to give bail;
 
(b) Nature and circumstance of the offense;
 
(c) Penalty for the offense charged;

(d) Character and reputation of the accused;
 
(e) Age and health of the accused;
 
(f) Weight of the evidence against the accused;
 
(g) Probability of the accused appearing at the trial;
 
(h) Forfeiture of other bail;
 
(i)  The  fact  that  the  accused  was  a  fugitive  from  justice  when
arrested; and
 
(j) Pendency of other cases where the accused is on bail. Excessive bail shall not be required.
 

WHAT  DETERMINES  IF  BAIL  IS  EXCESSIVE  OR  NOT?    IS  IT  THE AMOUNT?

> It  doesn't  depend on the  amount  but  is  dependent on the circumstances of the accused particularly his financial capacity
 

WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES IN SETTING THE AMOUNT OF BAIL?

1.    Financial liability of the accused to give bail;
2.    Nature and circumstance of the offense;
3.    Penalty for the offense charged;
4.    Character and reputation of the accused;
5.    Age and health of the accused;
6.    Weight of the evidence against the accused;
7.    Probability of the accused appearing at the trial;
8.    Forfeiture of other bail;
9.    The  fact  that  the  accused  was  a  fugitive  from  justice  when arrested; and
10.  Pendency of other cases where the accused is on bail. 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE JUDGE IMPOSES EXCESSIVE BAIL?

> The  judge  may  be  administratively  sanctioned  and  filed  as  the judge violates the constitutional right of the accused to bail and its prohibition on excessive bail
> The  judge  makes  the  right  a  teasing  illusion  like  a  munificent bequest in a pauper’s will
 

WHAT IS THE REMEDY OF THE ACCUSED IF HE IS DENIED BAIL?

> He should file a special civil action in the Court of Appeals within 60 days