(1)
A court before which a child appears charged with any offence shall uphold the right of the child to apply for bail guaranteed under the Constitution and the law.
(2)
The court shall, in addition to the general principles set out in paragraph 5, be guided by the following principles-
(a)
a child shall not be denied bail where the court is unlikely to impose a custodial order, upon proof of an offence against the child; and
(b)
the deprivation of personal liberty pending trial shall be used only in exceptional circumstances, as a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible period of time.
(3)
A court considering a bail application by, or on behalf of, a child, shall inquire into-
(a)
the criminal charge against the child, including the nature of the offence and severity of punishment;
(b)
the likelihood of serious danger to the child and if it is in the child's best interest to remove him or her from association with any person; or
(c)
the likelihood that the release of the child would defeat the ends of justice.
(4)
In granting bail, a court shall release a child on bail-
(a)
on a court bond on the child's own recognisance; or
(b)
with sureties, preferably the child's parents or guardians who shall be bound on a court bond, not cash.
(5)
A court may release a child on bail on conditions that may include-
(a)
the obligation to appear on a specified time, date and place before the court;
(b)
the obligation to report periodically to a specified person or place;
(c)
the prohibition from interfering with witnesses, tampering with evidence or associating with any person; or
(d)
the obligation to return to the child's home or to a specified address.
(6)
The conditions of release of a child on bail under subparagraph (5) shall be reasonable and in accordance with the seriousness of the crime committed.
(7)
A court may, in dealing with a bail application by, or on behalf of, a child, refuse to release the child and shall-
(a)
record the reasons for refusal which may include-
(i)
the nature and severity of the criminal charges;
(ii)
that the child is in immediate danger to self or others;
(iii)
that the child has failed to attend court on a criminal charge on a previous occasion; or
(iv)
that the child has previously been granted bail by a court and has failed to comply with the conditions of bail;
(b)
inform the child of his or her right to appeal against the decision; and
(c)
make an order for the detention of the child in a remand home or in a place of safe custody.