Missouri Laws 544.453 – Bail or conditions of release, factors to consider
Notwithstanding any provision of the law or court rule to the contrary, a judge or judicial officer, when setting bail or conditions of release in all courts in Missouri for any offense charged, shall consider, in addition to any factor required by law, whether:
(1) A defendant poses a danger to a victim of a crime, the community, any witness to the crime, or to any other person;
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 544.453
- Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020
(2) A defendant is a flight risk;
(3) A defendant has committed a misdemeanor offense involving a crime of violence, sexual offense, or felony offense in this state or any other state in the last five years; and
(4) A defendant has failed to appear in court as a required condition of probation or parole for a misdemeanor involving a crime of violence or felony or a sexual offense within the last three years.