DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR BAIL REDUCTION

(Rhode Island State Criminal Court Template)

[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted for use in any Rhode Island criminal court (District or Superior). Replace all bracketed, ALL-CAPS placeholders before filing. Delete all guidance comments prior to submission.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header & Caption
2. Motion
3. Memorandum of Law
   3.1 Introduction
   3.2 Statement of Facts
   3.3 Applicable Law & Standard of Review
   3.4 Argument
   3.5 Conclusion & Prayer for Relief
4. Proposed Order (Exhibit A)
5. Certificate of Service

1. DOCUMENT HEADER & CAPTION

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
[COURT NAME (e.g., SUPERIOR COURT / DISTRICT COURT)]
[COUNTY]

State of Rhode Island )
) C.A./Case No.: [DOCKET NO.]
v. )
) DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR
[DEFENDANT NAME], ) BAIL REDUCTION
Defendant. )
Date: [DATE]

2. MOTION

NOW COMES the Defendant, [DEFENDANT NAME] (“Defendant”), by and through undersigned counsel, and respectfully moves this Honorable Court, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-1 and Rule 46 of the Rhode Island Rules of Criminal Procedure, for an order reducing bail currently set at $[CURRENT AMOUNT]. Defendant requests that bail be reduced to $[REQUESTED AMOUNT] (cash or surety), or that Defendant be released on reasonable conditions of recognizance, for the reasons set forth in the accompanying Memorandum of Law and any evidence adduced at hearing.

WHEREFORE, Defendant prays that this Motion be granted and for such other and further relief as justice may require.

Respectfully submitted,

[ATTORNEY NAME], Esq. (#Bar No.)
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
Counsel for Defendant

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

Defendant seeks modification of the existing bail order to an amount and/or set of conditions that are the least restrictive necessary to reasonably assure (a) Defendant’s future appearance and (b) the safety of the community.

3.2 Statement of Facts

1. Arrest & Charges: Defendant was arrested on [ARREST DATE] and is charged by [Information/Indictment] with [LIST CHARGES], classified as [FELONY/MISDEMEANOR].
2. Bail Set: On [BAIL-SETTING DATE], bail was fixed at $[CURRENT AMOUNT] with [CASH/SURETY/RECOGNIZANCE].
3. Custody Status: Defendant has remained [IN CUSTODY / OUT ON BAIL] since [DATE].
4. Personal Background:
   a. Residence: [ADDRESS], living there [YEARS].
   b. Employment: [EMPLOYER], position [TITLE], employed [YEARS].
   c. Family Ties: [SPOUSE/PARENTS/CHILDREN] reside in Rhode Island.
   d. Criminal History: [NO PRIOR CONVICTIONS / LIMITED RECORD as follows …]
5. Compliance History (if applicable): Defendant has [COMPLIED WITH / VIOLATED] prior pre-trial conditions [DETAILS].

[// GUIDANCE: Attach supporting exhibits—for example, letters of employment, proof of residence, treatment enrollment—if helpful.]

3.3 Applicable Law & Standard of Review

1. Statutory Right to Bail: Except for narrowly defined capital or life-imprisonment offenses, “all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties.” R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-1.
2. Court Discretion & Factors: Under Rule 46, the Court must impose “the least restrictive condition(s)” that will reasonably assure appearance and community safety. Relevant considerations customarily include:
   a. Nature and circumstances of the charged offense;
   b. Weight of the evidence;
   c. Defendant’s family, employment, length of residence, and community ties;
   d. Criminal record, including prior failures to appear;
   e. Danger to any person or the community;
   f. Financial ability to post bail.
3. Burden of Proof: The State bears the burden of demonstrating necessity for restrictive bail beyond financial ability.

3.4 Argument

A. Bail as Currently Set Is Excessive Relative to Statutory Purposes
1. Financial Infeasibility: Defendant’s monthly income is $[AMOUNT]; therefore, $[CURRENT AMOUNT] is tantamount to a detention order in violation of the statutory right to bail.
2. Community Ties & Stability: Defendant’s deep roots, stable employment, and family responsibilities strongly indicate reliability for court appearances.
3. Limited Criminal History & Non-Violent Character of Offense: The alleged offense is [NON-VIOLENT / CLASSIFICATION]; Defendant poses minimal flight risk or threat.

B. Reasonable Alternative Conditions Exist
1. Surety or Cash Portion: Reduction to $[REQUESTED AMOUNT] aligns with Defendant’s means while maintaining financial incentive.
2. Non-Monetary Conditions:
i. Pre-trial Services supervision;
ii. Weekly reporting;
iii. No-contact order with [ALLEGED VICTIM];
iv. Travel restrictions to Rhode Island;
v. Substance abuse evaluation and compliance (if applicable).

C. Constitutional Considerations & Public Policy
Indefinite pre-trial detention predicated solely on inability to pay infringes upon due-process and equal-protection principles, contrary to the modern trend toward risk-based, not wealth-based, detention determinations.

3.5 Conclusion & Prayer for Relief

For the foregoing reasons, Defendant respectfully requests that this Court:

1. Reduce bail to $[REQUESTED AMOUNT] cash or surety; or
2. Release Defendant on recognizance subject to the least restrictive set of reasonable conditions enumerated above; and
3. Grant such further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

4. PROPOSED ORDER (Exhibit A)

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
[COURT NAME]
[COUNTY]

State of Rhode Island )
) C.A./Case No.: [DOCKET NO.]
v. )
) ORDER ON DEFENDANT’S
[DEFENDANT NAME], ) MOTION FOR BAIL REDUCTION
Defendant. )

This matter came before the Court on the ___ day of ____, 20__, on Defendant’s Motion for Bail Reduction. After hearing thereon, and for good cause shown:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

1. Bail is reduced to $[NEW AMOUNT] [cash / surety / recognizance] pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-1 and Rule 46;
2. Defendant shall comply with the following conditions of release:
   a. Report to Pre-trial Services as directed;
   b. Reside at [ADDRESS] and notify the Court of any change within 24 hours;
   c. No contact with [VICTIM / WITNESS] directly or indirectly;
   d. Abstain from the use of illicit substances and submit to random testing;
   e. Surrender passport and restrict travel to Rhode Island absent prior Court approval;
   f. [OTHER CONDITION(S) AS ORDERED].

ENTER: _____
Judge, [COURT NAME]
Date: ______
[// GUIDANCE: Counsel should submit this Proposed Order as a separate, editable document if required by the clerk’s office.]

5. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on the ___ day of ____, 20__, a true and accurate copy of the foregoing Defendant’s Motion for Bail Reduction, together with the accompanying Memorandum of Law and Proposed Order, was served upon the Office of the Attorney General, [ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL NAME], by [METHOD OF SERVICE—E-FILE / HAND DELIVERY / ELECTRONIC MAIL], pursuant to Rule 49 of the Rhode Island Rules of Criminal Procedure.

[ATTORNEY NAME], Esq.

OPTIONAL SCHEDULE OF SUPPORTING EXHIBITS

1. Exhibit B – Proof of Employment (Employer Letter dated [DATE])
2. Exhibit C – Proof of Residence (Lease / Utility Bill)
3. Exhibit D – Character Letters (Names)
4. Exhibit E – Treatment Program Enrollment Verification

[// GUIDANCE: Tailor exhibits to the facts of your case. Remove unused exhibit headings.]

[// GUIDANCE: Review local court rules for any additional filing, certification, or notary requirements (e.g., District Court administrative order re: bail motions). Ensure all personal identifiers are redacted in compliance with court privacy rules before filing.]