MS SB2847

Restricts bail options for persons charged with 15 categories of felonies including murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, rape, robbery, carjacking, arson, burglary, extortion, child abuse, resisting arrest, fleeing police, escape, obstruction of justice, and felon in possession of weapon, plus drug-related and racketeering felonies.

Limits bail posting for these crimes to three forms: full cash, surety bonds from authorized corporations, or real property with unencumbered equity equal to bail amount plus $20,000.

Establishes presumption favoring full cash-only bail (excluding other forms) when defendant has two pending indictable cases, two prior felony convictions, one prior conviction for murder/manslaughter/rape/sexual battery/kidnapping/bail jumping, or was on parole at time of arrest.

Requires property owners posting real estate as bail to file affidavit with legal property description, all encumbrances, appraised market value of unencumbered equity, and declaration of sole ownership of equity.

Effective date: July 1, 2012.