Exception To Bail As A Matter Of Right

Category: Criminal Procedure

Exception To Bail As A Matter Of Right

Sec. 4.  Bail, a  matter of  right; exception. – All persons in custody shall  be  admitted  to  bail  as  a  matter  of  right,  with  sufficient sureties, or released on recognizance as prescribed  by law or this Rule (a) before or after conviction by the Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal  Trial  Court,  Municipal  Trial  Court  in  Cities,  or  Municipal Circuit  Trial Court, and (b) before conviction by the Regional  Trial court of an offense not punishable by death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment

WHAT IS THE GENERAL RULE REGARDING THE RIGHT TO BAIL?

> As  a  general  rule,  before  conviction  of  any  criminal  offense  any person shall be bailable, except when such person is charged with a capital offense and the evidence of guilt is strong
> From  the  moment  a  person  is  under  custody,  under  arrest  or detention or restraint by the officers of the law, he can claim the

IS  BAIL  A  MATTER  OF  RIGHT  OR  OF  DISCRETION? WHEN  IS  IT EITHER?

> Bail is either a matter of right or of discretion
> Upon  custody  and  prior  to  conviction,  it  is  a  MATTER  OF  RIGHT when  the  offense  charged  is  not  punishable  by  death,  life imprisonment, or reclusion perpetua
> However, upon conviction by the RTC of an offense not punishable by death, life imprisonment, or reclusion perpetua, bail becomes a MATTER OF DISCRETION NOTA BENE:  When bail is a  matter of right, the accused may apply for and be granted bail even prior to arraignment.