Rhode Island General Laws 12-13-7. Right to prompt trial on indictment or information for serious crime
Every person who shall be indicted for or charged by information with an offense for which bail may be denied pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Const., Art. I, Sec. IX, and shall be imprisoned under the indictment or information, shall be tried or bailed within six (6) months next after the time at which he or she shall plead to the indictment or information if he or she demands a trial, unless it shall appear to the court that some material witness in behalf of the state has been enticed away or is prevented from attending court by some unavoidable accident.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 285, § 17; G.L. 1909, ch. 354, § 17; G.L. 1909, ch. 354, § 57; P.L. 1915, ch. 1261, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 407, § 57; G.L. 1938, ch. 625, § 57; G.L. 1956, § 12-13-7; P.L. 1972, ch. 265, § 1; P.L. 1974, ch. 118, § 12; P.L. 1985, ch. 463, § 1.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 12-13-7
- 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.
- Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
- 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.