H.R. 5016 would require that anyone charged with a crime in Washington, D.C. must post a secured bail bond with a solvent surety before being released while awaiting trial. The bill eliminates the current option for judges to release defendants on their own recognizance (a personal promise to appear without posting bail) and removes other release alternatives. This legislation applies to all individuals charged with offenses in D.C., regardless of when their case begins. The bill directly overrides local D.C. laws and regulations by preventing the city council and mayor from enacting or enforcing any policies that permit release without a secured bail bond. There is no specific funding authorization mentioned, as the bill primarily restricts the discretion of D.C. judges and prohibits local bail reform policies.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.