Sec. 3.2. (a) After considering the results of the Indiana pretrial risk assessment system (if available), other relevant factors, and bail guidelines described in section 3.8 of this chapter, a court may admit a defendant to bail and impose any of the following conditions to assure the defendant’s appearance at any stage of the legal proceedings, or, upon a showing of clear and convincing evidence that the defendant poses a risk of physical danger to another person or the community, to assure the public’s physical safety:

(1) Require the defendant to:

Terms Used In Indiana Code 35-33-8-3.2

  • Attorney: includes a counselor or other person authorized to appear and represent a party in an action or special proceeding. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • 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.
  • bail bond: means a bond executed by a person who has been arrested for the commission of an offense, for the purpose of ensuring:

    Indiana Code 35-33-8-1

  • Clerk: means the clerk of the court or a person authorized to perform the clerk's duties. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • 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.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
  • publicly paid costs of representation: means the portion of all attorney's fees, expenses, or wages incurred by the county that are:

    Indiana Code 35-33-8-1.5

  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Sheriff: means the sheriff of the county or another person authorized to perform sheriff's duties. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
(A) execute a bail bond with sufficient solvent sureties;

(B) deposit cash or securities in an amount equal to the bail;

(C) execute a bond secured by real estate in the county, where thirty-three hundredths (0.33) of the true tax value less encumbrances is at least equal to the amount of the bail;

(D) post a real estate bond; or

(E) perform any combination of the requirements described in clauses (A) through (D).

If the court requires the defendant to deposit cash or cash and another form of security as bail, the court may require the defendant and each person who makes the deposit on behalf of the defendant to execute an agreement that allows the court to retain all or a part of the cash to pay publicly paid costs of representation and fines, costs, fees, and restitution that the court may order the defendant to pay if the defendant is convicted. Before execution of the agreement, the defendant or person who makes the deposit on behalf of the defendant shall be advised that, upon conviction of the defendant, the court may retain from the cash deposited as bail all or a part of the cash to pay publicly paid costs of representation and fines, costs, fees, and restitution that the court may order the defendant to pay if the defendant is convicted. The defendant must also pay the fee required by subsection (d).

(2) Require the defendant to execute:

(A) a bail bond by depositing cash or securities with the clerk of the court in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the bail; and

(B) an agreement that allows the court to retain all or a part of the cash or securities to pay fines, costs, fees, and restitution that the court may order the defendant to pay if the defendant is convicted.

A portion of the deposit, not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the monetary value of the deposit or fifty dollars ($50), whichever is the lesser amount, may be retained as an administrative fee. The clerk shall also retain from the deposit under this subdivision fines, costs, fees, and restitution as ordered by the court, publicly paid costs of representation that shall be disposed of in accordance with subsection (b), and the fee required by subsection (d). In the event of the posting of a real estate bond, the bond shall be used only to insure the presence of the defendant at any stage of the legal proceedings, but shall not be foreclosed for the payment of fines, costs, fees, or restitution. The individual posting bail for the defendant or the defendant admitted to bail under this subdivision must be notified by the sheriff, court, or clerk that the defendant’s deposit may be forfeited under section 7 of this chapter or retained under subsection (b).

(3) Impose reasonable restrictions on the activities, movements, associations, and residence of the defendant during the period of release.

(4) Except as provided in section 3.6 of this chapter, require the defendant to refrain from any direct or indirect contact with an individual and, if the defendant has been charged with an offense under IC 35-46-3, any animal belonging to the individual, including if the defendant has not been released from lawful detention.

(5) Place the defendant under the reasonable supervision of a probation officer, pretrial services agency, or other appropriate public official. If the court places the defendant under the supervision of a probation officer or pretrial services agency, the court shall determine whether the defendant must pay the pretrial services fee under section 3.3 of this chapter.

(6) Release the defendant into the care of a qualified person or organization responsible for supervising the defendant and assisting the defendant in appearing in court. The supervisor shall maintain reasonable contact with the defendant in order to assist the defendant in making arrangements to appear in court and, where appropriate, shall accompany the defendant to court. The supervisor need not be financially responsible for the defendant.

(7) Release the defendant on personal recognizance unless:

(A) the state presents evidence relevant to a risk by the defendant:

(i) of nonappearance; or

(ii) to the physical safety of the public; and

(B) the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the risk exists.

(8) Require a defendant charged with an offense under IC 35-46-3 to refrain from owning, harboring, or training an animal.

(9) Require a defendant to participate in a mental health referral program under IC 33-23-18.

(10) Impose any other reasonable restrictions designed to assure the defendant’s presence in court or the physical safety of another person or the community.

     (b) Within thirty (30) days after disposition of the charges against the defendant, the court that admitted the defendant to bail shall order the clerk to remit the amount of the deposit remaining under subsection (a)(2) to the person who made the deposit. The portion of the deposit that is not remitted to the person who made the deposit shall be deposited by the clerk in the supplemental public defender services fund established under IC 33-40-3.

     (c) For purposes of subsection (b), “disposition” occurs when the indictment or information is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted or convicted of the charges.

     (d) Except as provided in subsection (e), the clerk of the court shall:

(1) collect a fee of five dollars ($5) from each bond or deposit required under subsection (a)(1); and

(2) retain a fee of five dollars ($5) from each deposit under subsection (a)(2).

The clerk of the court shall semiannually remit the fees collected under this subsection to the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system for deposit in the special death benefit fund. The fee required by subdivision (2) is in addition to the administrative fee retained under subsection (a)(2).

     (e) With the approval of the clerk of the court, the county sheriff may collect the bail posted under this section. The county sheriff shall remit the bail to the clerk of the court by the following business day and remit monthly the five dollar ($5) special death benefit fee to the county auditor.

     (f) When a court imposes a condition of bail described in subsection (a)(4):

(1) the clerk of the court shall comply with IC 5-2-9; and

(2) the prosecuting attorney shall file a confidential form prescribed or approved by the office of judicial administration with the clerk.

     (g) The clerk of the court shall record the name, address, and bail agent license number, if applicable, of the bail agent or a person authorized by the surety posting bail for the defendant in the county court electronic case management system.

As added by P.L.107-1998, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.1-2001, SEC.36; P.L.1-2003, SEC.91; P.L.98-2004, SEC.140; P.L.10-2005, SEC.4; P.L.1-2006, SEC.528; P.L.97-2006, SEC.1; P.L.173-2006, SEC.42; P.L.1-2007, SEC.226; P.L.104-2008, SEC.6; P.L.111-2009, SEC.7; P.L.94-2010, SEC.9; P.L.35-2012, SEC.107; P.L.187-2017, SEC.5; P.L.161-2018, SEC.115; P.L.147-2022, SEC.6; P.L.205-2023, SEC.30.