Bail in Rhode Island is the set of conditions a court uses to release someone charged with a crime while their case is pending, in exchange for assurance they will return to court. After an arrest, a person is brought before a judge, usually at arraignment, and the court decides whether to release them and on what terms. Release can be on personal recognizance, which means a promise to appear with no money down, or it can require posting money or property as security. The court can also attach conditions such as no contact with an alleged victim, drug testing, or surrendering a passport. The core purpose of bail is to make sure the person comes back to court and does not pose a danger while released, not to punish them before trial.
