Stack v. Boyle
United States Supreme Court
342 U.S. 1 (1951)
Relevant factsFree
Twelve federal defendants (plaintiffs) faced a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and a $10,000 fine, yet the district court fixed uniform bail at $50,000 each after the government sought an increase; the defendants presented individualized evidence of financial resources, family ties, health, and criminal history, while the government showed only that four previously convicted defendants under the same statute had forfeited bail.
IssueFree
Whether bail is excessive where it is set for multiple defendants at a fixed amount significantly higher than that usually imposed for offenses with like penalties, and where the government has failed to establish the need for such a high bail.