Bellingham Municipal Court

		
		
                                    RULE 15
                                      BAIL


Effective immediately, the following policy shall govern the calculation of
bail for all criminal matters:


1) If the Court determines that the defendant is not likely to appear if
   released on personal recognizance, the Court may require conditions of
   release, including the posting of cash or bond, as provided by CrRLJ 3.2(b).


2) If the Court determines that the defendant poses a substantial danger to the
   public to commit a violent crime, intimidate witnesses, or otherwise
   unlawfully interfere with the administration of justice, the Court may
   require conditions of release, including posting of cash or bond to
   guarantee performance of release conditions, as provided by CrRLJ 3.2(d).
   Performance bail shall be posted in the Defendant's name, as required by
   CrRLJ 3.2(d)(6).  Any bond posted to guarantee performance of release
   conditions ("performance bond") must be approved by the Judge or
   Commissioner in writing prior to the Defendant's release.


3) If the Court, upon issuing a bench warrant, determines that bail shall be
   "cash" or "cash only," the defendant may post an appearance bond in the
   amount of ten times the cash bail requirement in lieu of cash, prior to the
   defendant's first appearance in Court. If "cash" or "cash only" is not
   indicated on the bench warrant, the defendant may post either cash or bond
   in the amount specified.


4) The Court may apply cash bail posted in the defendant's name to pay the
   defendant's fines, penalties and costs on the present case or on any past
   due obligations to the Court.


5) In any case for which bail forfeiture in lieu of criminal prosecution has
   been authorized, bail must be received by the Court before arraignment
   unless previously authorized in writing by the Judge or Commissioner.


6) This rule shall be retroactively applied to all cases in which bail has
   previously been set.