Bail: Surety and Security
- Financial resources;
- Character and any previous convictions; and
- Proximity (of kinship, place of residence or otherwise) to the person for whom he or she is to be surety.
When assessing financial resources, a Court will normally expect the potential surety to:
- Show the court you have enough assets to cover the amount of bail by:
- Proving land documents
- All proprietors will be required to sign bail recognizance;
- Proprietors may be required to provide a recent valuation of property;and/or
- Providing a letter from a local bank securing the amount of the bail until completion of the case (almost always required where the amount exceeds $2,000); this will need to confirm that the money will not be released to anyone other than the Court until the bank is notified that the Court has released it;
and/or - If employed, a current letter of employment and salary range or, if self-employed, a copy of business licence;
and/or - Providing a deposit of cash in that amount.
In order to verify identity, a Court will normally only accept a person who is Caymanian who is normally resident in the Islands or a permanent resident;
Photo identification confirming both identity and residence will be required;
Proof of residence (usually through a recent utility bill in the person’s name) will be required.
- The attorney representing the defendant;
- Those under 18 years of age
- Any undischarged bankrupt
- The alleged victim of the offence
- Those with criminal matters pending before the court whether on custody or on bail;
- Those with previous criminal convictions; those with a conviction for a minor offence or one that is fairly old may be allowed at the discretion of the Court.
Where a SECURITY is required by the Court (that is, where payment is required before the defendant is released from custody), this can only be provided in the form of a CASH DEPOSIT or check in the name of a bank deposited with the Court.