§ 12-13-8. Qualifications of sureties.
(a) Whenever in any criminal case a defendant is required to recognize with surety or sureties, each surety, other than an incorporated surety company duly authorized by law to give the recognizance, must be a resident or freeholder within this state, and must be the owner of property of value to the amount expressed in the recognizance, over and above all incumbrances, but the justice or persons taking the recognizance may allow two (2) or more sureties to justify, provided they own in the aggregate property in value to the amount or sum for which the recognizance is given, over and above all incumbrances. The justice or person taking recognizance may require any surety offered to make affidavit or be examined orally under oath as to his or her qualifications as the surety.
(b) Bail affidavits required for the posting of surety bail shall be approved and signed by any clerk, authorized by the presiding justice for bail posted in the superior courts, and by any clerk authorized by the chief judge of the district court for bail posted in the district courts. Neither the attorney general, nor his or her designee shall be required to approve the affidavits.
History of Section.G.L. 1909, ch. 354, § 16; P.L. 1915, ch. 1261, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 407, § 16; G.L. 1938, ch. 625, § 16; G.L. 1956, § 12-13-8; P.L. 1998, ch. 361, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 12-13 - Bail and Recognizance
Section 12-13-1. - Right to release pending trial on giving of recognizance.
Section 12-13-1.1. - Hearings when state opposes bail — Medical disability of accused.
Section 12-13-1.2. - Penalty for an offense committed while on release.
Section 12-13-1.3. - Pretrial release.
Section 12-13-2. - Warrant for apprehension of accused person.
Section 12-13-3. - Guardian to give recognizance.
Section 12-13-4. - Persons authorized to bail jail prisoners.
Section 12-13-5. - Justices authorized to bail on accusation of serious crime.
Section 12-13-5.1. - Presumption of danger to the community.
Section 12-13-5.2. - Drug testing required.
Section 12-13-6. - Bail or discharge for want of indictment or information.
Section 12-13-7. - Right to prompt trial on indictment or information for serious crime.
Section 12-13-8. - Qualifications of sureties.
Section 12-13-8.1. - Penalty for false affidavit.
Section 12-13-9. - Commitment of juveniles on failure to give recognizance.
Section 12-13-10. - Deposit of money in lieu of bail.
Section 12-13-11. - New or additional recognizance.
Section 12-13-12 - — 12-13-15. Repealed.
Section 12-13-16. - Process on default of recognizance.
Section 12-13-16.1. - Forfeiture of bail.
Section 12-13-16.2. - Forfeiture of bail — Licensed bondsperson.
Section 12-13-18. - Power of surety on recognizance over principal.
Section 12-13-19. - Surrender or commitment of principal.
Section 12-13-20. - Status of person surrendered or committed.
Section 12-13-21. - Registration of sureties.
Section 12-13-22. - Recordation of recognizance — Lien.
Section 12-13-23. - Bail and bail bonds — Examination for sufficiency.
Section 12-13-24. - Confidentiality of pretrial services program records.