Rhode Island General Laws 11-1-8. Bail jumping
Every person accused of a felony offense who, by court order, has been released from custody or allowed to remain at liberty, either upon the person’s own recognizance or with surety or sureties, upon condition that he or she appear before the court where the felony is pending, or to which he or she may be bound over, to answer the felony whenever called upon to so do, who does not appear personally on the required date or voluntarily within thirty (30) days thereafter, or who fails to appear for any court session during the trial or on the day for sentencing, shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be subject to the same fine and imprisonment as pertain to the offense for which he or she failed to answer, provided that imprisonment for the offense shall not exceed ten (10) years.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 35, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 195, § 1.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 11-1-8
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.