Chapter 969 — BAIL AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF RELEASE

969.001 Definitions. In this chapter: (1) “Bail” means monetary conditions of release. (2m) “Serious harm” means any of the following: (a) Personal physical pain or injury, illness, any impairment of physical condition, or death, including mental anguish or emotional harm attenda…

969.01 Eligibility for release. (1) BEFORE CONVICTION. (a) Before conviction, except as provided in ss. 969.035 and 971.14 (1r), a defendant arrested for a criminal offense is eligible for release under reasonable conditions designed to assure his or her appearance in court, prot…

969.02 Release of defendants charged with misdemeanors. (1) A judge may release a defendant charged with a misdemeanor without bail or may permit the defendant to execute an unsecured appearance bond in an amount specified by the judge. (2) In lieu of release pursuant to sub. (1)…

969.03 may be allowed in the discretion of the trial court after conviction and prior to sentencing or the granting of probation. This paragraph does not apply to a conviction for a 3rd or subsequent violation that is counted as a suspension, revocation, or conviction under s. 34…

969.035 Pretrial detention; denial of release from custody. (1) In this section: (a) “Serious bodily harm” means bodily injury which causes or contributes to the death of a human being or which creates a BAIL 969.035 substantial risk of death or which causes serious permanent dis…

969.04 Surety may satisfy default. Any surety may, after default, pay to the clerk of the court the amount for which the surety was bound, or such lesser sum as the court, after notice and hearing, may direct, and thereupon be discharged. History: 1993 a. 486.

969.05 Endorsement of bail upon warrants. (1) In misdemeanor actions, the judge who issues a warrant may endorse upon the warrant the amount of bail. (2) The amount and method of posting bail may be endorsed upon felony warrants. History: 1981 c. 183.

969.065 Judicial conference; bail alternatives. The judicial conference shall develop guidelines for cash bail for persons accused of misdemeanors which the supreme court shall adopt by rule. The guidelines shall relate primarily to individuals. The guidelines may be revised from…

969.07 Taking of bail by law enforcement officer. When bail has been set for a particular defendant, any law enforcement officer may take bail in accordance with s. 969.02 and release the defendant to appear in accordance with the conditions of the appearance bond. Bail shall not…

969.08 Grant, reduction, increase or revocation of conditions of release. (1) Upon petition by the state or the defendant, the court before which the action is pending may increase or reduce the amount of bail or may alter other conditions of release or the bail bond or grant bai…

969.09 Conditions of bond. (1) If a defendant is admitted to bail before sentencing the conditions of the bond shall include, without limitation, the requirements that the defendant will appear in the court having jurisdiction on a day certain and thereafter as ordered until disc…

969.10 Notice of change of address. A person who has been released on bail or other conditions shall give written notice to the clerk of any change in his or her address within 48 hours after the change. This requirement shall be printed on all bonds. History: 1981 c. 183.

969.11 Release upon arrest in another county. (1) If the defendant is arrested in a county other than the county in which the offense was committed, he or she shall, without unreasonable delay, either be brought before a judge of the county in which arrested for the purpose of se…

969.12 Sureties. (1) Every surety under this chapter, except a surety under s. 345.61, shall be a resident of the state. (2) A surety under this chapter shall be a natural person, except a surety under s. 345.61. No surety under this chapter may be compensated for acting as such …

969.13 Forfeiture. (1) If the conditions of the bond are not complied with, the court having jurisdiction over the defendant in the criminal action shall enter an order declaring the bail to be forfeited. (2) This order may be set aside upon such conditions as the court imposes i…

969.14 Surrender of principal by surety. (1) When the sureties desire to be discharged from the obligations of their bond, they may arrest the principal and deliver the principal to the sheriff of the county in which the action against the principal is pending. (2) The sureties s…