3.06 Bail for good behavior--Abolished

Bail for good behavior no longer exists in Kentucky criminal cases. In the past, a court could set bail as a way to guarantee that someone would behave well or stay out of trouble, separate from making sure they showed up for court. This rule gets rid of that practice completely.

Now bail can only be used for its normal purpose: making sure a defendant returns to court when required. Judges cannot set this type of bail as a way to police someone's general conduct or behavior. If you are dealing with bail in a Kentucky criminal case, this means the only question is whether you will show up for your court dates, not whether a judge thinks you need extra incentive to behave.