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Kentucky · Snapshot 09/05/2026

KRS 431.525: Conditions for establishing amount of bail -- Pilot projects for controlled

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  1. KRS Chapter 431

substance or alcohol abuse testing.

(1) The amount of the bail shall be:

(a) Sufficient to insure compliance with the conditions of release set by the court;

(b) Not oppressive;

(c) Commensurate with the nature of the offense charged;

(d) Considerate of the past criminal acts and the reasonably anticipated conduct of

the defendant if released; and

(e) Considerate of the financial ability of the defendant.

(2) When a person is c harged with an offense punishable by fine only, the amount of

the bail bond set shall not exceed the amount of the maximum penalty and costs.

(3) When a person has been convicted of an offense and only a fine has been imposed,

the amount of the bail shall not exceed the amount of the fine.

(4) When a person has been charged with one (1) or more misdemeanors, the amount of

the bail for all charges shall be encompassed by a single amount of bail that shall

not exceed the amount of the fine and court costs for the one (1) highest

misdemeanor charged. This subsection shall apply only to misdemeanor offenses

not involving physical injury or sexual contact.

(5) When a person has been convicted of a misdemeanor offense and a sentence of jail,

probation, conditional discharge, or sentence other than a fine only has been

imposed, the amount of bail for release on appeal shall not exceed double the

amount of the maximum fine that could have been imposed for the one (1) highest

misdemeanor offense for which the person w as convicted. This subsection shall

apply only to misdemeanors not involving physical injury or sexual contact.

(6) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a defendant who is found by the

court to present a flight risk or to be a danger to others.

(7) If a court determines that a defendant shall not be released pursuant to subsection

(6) of this section, the court shall document the reasons for denying the release in a

written order.

(8) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall establish pilo t projects to implement

controlled substance or alcohol abuse testing as specified under this subsection. If

the person's record indicates a history of controlled substance or alcohol abuse, the

court may order the person to submit to periodic testing for use of controlled

substances or alcohol and to pay a reasonable fee, not to exceed the actual cost of

the test and analysis, as determined by the court, with the fee to be collected by the

circuit clerk, held in an agency account, and disbursed, on court o rder, solely to the

agency or agencies responsible for testing and analysis as compensation for the cost

of the testing and analysis performed under this subsection. If the person is declared

indigent, the testing fee may be waived by the court. If the court finds the conditions

of release have not been complied with, the court may change the conditions

imposed or forfeit the bail bond or any portion thereof and enter a judgment for the

Commonwealth against the person and his surety or sureties for the amou nt of the

bail bond or any portion thereof and the cost of the proceedings.

Collected 2026-09-05T20:59:46Z. Source file · JSON

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