Walls v. Genung
Walls v. Genung
Opinion of the Court
Petitioner, who is awaiting trial on multiple charges of grand larceny, resisting arrest and rioting, presents in this habeas corpus proceeding the single issue of the constitutional propriety of the trial court’s requirement of bail bond surety as a condition to his pretrial release, after an adjudication of his insolvency and appointment of defense counsel.
By a previous proceeding in habeas corpus the amount of petitioner’s total bond upon all charges pending against him has been reduced to $850, and the petition in this Court is confined to the proposition that because of his adjudicated insolvency a requirement of surety in any amount is unreasonable.
Our study of the decisions under applicable state and federal constitutional provisions indicates uniform adherence in this situation to the rule that “whatever the petitioner’s right in the premises may be, he is not entitled to be discharged from custody without bail, and, as that is the prayer of the petition, it will be denied.”
Upon the petition before us there is presented no necessity for determination of whether under our law
The writ heretofore issued should accordingly be discharged and petitioner remanded. It is so ordered.
. See. 9, Deal, of Rights, Fla.Const.F.S.A.: . “All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses where' the proof is evident or the presumption great.”
. Sec. 12, Decl. of Rights, Fla.Const.; Amendments 14 and 8, U. S. Constitution.
. State ex rel. Cohen v. Wingate, 85 Fla. 42, 94 So. 862; State ex rel. Gayle v.
. F.S. Sec. 903.01, F.S.A.: “Offenses less than capital. — All persons in custody for the commission of an offense, not capital, shall before conviction be entitled as of right to be admitted to bail, and after conviction bail may be granted at the discretion of either the trial or appellate court.” Sec. 907.01: “Capias and amount of bond. —* * * The judge upon the filing of the information or indictment, shall indicate the amount of bail, if the offense is bailable, in which case an indorsement shall be made on the capias and signed by the clerk, to the following effect: The defendant is to be admitted to bail in the sum of.dollars.”
. Cf. Bandy v. United States, 81 S.Ct. 197, 5 L.Ed.2d 218. “Rule 46(d) indeed provides that ‘in proper cases no security need be required.’ For there may be other deterrents to jumping bail: long residence in a locality, the ties of friend and family * *
Concurring Opinion
(concurring specially).
I agree with Justice Drew’s opinion since it is not contrary to modern concepts that bail may be dispensed with in most cases involving indigents charged with minor offenses under a system providing investigations to determine whether indigents accused of such offenses may be released on recognizance or under other conditions without bail.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Joseph WALLS v. Donald S. GENUNG, Sheriff of Pinellas County
- Status
- Published