3. Bail and remands Flashcards
Those on unconditional bail must surrender to custody by turning up to court on the required day at the required time. True or false?
True
According to the Prosecution of Offences (Custody Time Limits) Regulations 1987 - what is the custody from first appearance in custody (i.e. the first appearance before the court charging a person with the offence) to the start of the trial for a summary only offence?
(Sprack, 7.23)
56 days
According to the Prosecution of Offences (Custody Time Limits) Regulations 1987 - what is the custody from first appearance in custody (i.e. the first appearance before the court charging a person with the offence) to the start of the trial for an either way offence?
(Sprack, 7.23)
56 days unless the Court or defendant elects Crown Court Trial.
According to the Prosecution of Offences (Custody Time Limits) Regulations 1987 - what is the custody from first appearance in custody (i.e. the first appearance before the court charging a person with the offence) to the start of the trial in the case of indictable only offences?
(Sprack, 7.23)
182 days
What, according to the Bail Act 1976 Schedule 1 Paragraph 2 are the three reasons that are permissible for a refusal to grant bail to someone charged with an imprisonable offence?
The Court can refuse bail if it is satisfied that there are “substantial grounds” to believe that the defendant might:
1) Fail to surrender to custody
2) Commit an offence whilst on bail
3) Interfere with evidence or the course of justice
What is the standard of proof for reasons under Bail Act 1976 Schedule 1 Paragraph 2?
The court merely needs to be satisfied that there are substantial grounds. This is lower than even “more likely than not” or the balance of probabilities that an event will occur.
What are the relevant factors that the Court may take into account when deciding whether a defendant is likely to fail to surrender to custody, commit an offence or interfere with witnesses? Bail Act 1976 Schedule 1 Paragraph 9
- The nature and seriousness of the offence
- The character, associations and community ties of the accused
- The record of the accused for answering bail
- The strength of evidence against the accused
- The risk of injury to anyone else.
According to the Bail Act 1976 Schedule 1 Part II, what are the grounds for withholding bail for someone for a non imprisonable offence?
- The defendant is a child
- The defendant has been convicted
- For the protection of the defendant
- The defendant is already serving a custodial sentence
- The defendant has been arrested for a bail offence
Under Section 3 of the Bail Act 1976, what can be attached as bail conditions?
- A surety who agrees to forfeit a sum of money to the court if the defendant fails to surrender.
- The defendant must pay a sum of money into court (a security).
- Reporting to a police station
- Curfews
- Electronic monitoring
Who may grant bail apart from the Court? (PACE 1984 s47)
The custody officer at a police station
What must be the aim of the of any refusal by the police to grant bail? (PACE s47(1A)
To ensure the defendant:
- Surrenders to custody
- Does not offend whilst on bail.
- Does not interfere with witnesses.
- For the defendant’s own safety
What are the three choices that a court has if a defendant fails to surrender to custody after being granted bail?
- Punish the defendant for failing to appear
- Remand the defendant in custody
- Try the defendant in her absence
Under the Bail Act Section 6- it is an offence for a defendant to fail to surrender to custody. True or false?
True
What does s4 of the Bail Act 1976 create?
A rebuttable presumption in favour of bail
If an accused is charged with murder, manslaughter or rape and has been previously convicted of one of these offences- is there a presumption in favour of bail according to s25 Criminal Justice Public Order Act?
No. There is a presumption against bail in these circumstances.
In which case did the ECHR declare that the UK’s presumption against bail for murder, manslaughter, rape and other serious offences was compatible with Article 5 of Convention?
O’Dowd v UK
What are the three reasons according to Part 1 Schedule 1 of the Bail Act 1976 for refusing bail?
If the court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds to believe that the defendant would:
- Fail to surrender to custody or
- commit an offence whilst on bail or
- Interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice
What are two additional reasons that the Court may refuse bail according to LASPO 2012?
- If the accused has already absconded once in the proceedings
- If the accused is alleged to have committed the offence whilst on bail
According to Schedule 1 Paragraph 9 of the Bail Act 1976, what are the six relevant considerations when deciding whether to grant bail?
- The nature and seriousness of the offence
- The character and antecedents of the defendant
- The associations and community ties of the defendant
- The defendant’s past record for answering bail
- The defendant’s past record for committing offences whilst on bail
- The strength of the prosecution’s case
What are the other 6 reasons apart from “substantial grounds” reasons under Schedule 1 Paragraph 1 of the bail act for a defendant not to be granted bail? (Sprack, 7.15)
- The accused was already on bail at the time of the charged offence
- The accused’s own protection
- The accused is already serving a custodial sentence
- The court is satisfied that there is a lack of time to answer the necessary questions
- The accused has been bailed but has absconded
- The accused has tested positive for Class A drugs and is charged for a Class A drug offence
What is the difference between an adjournment and remand? (Sprack, p97 7.04)
The difference between, on the one hand, adjourning and on the other, adjourning with bail, is in the former case no adverse consequences flow from the accused failing to appear (apart from the fact that they will probably be found guilty). In the latter case if adjourned on remand they will commit a Bail Act offence if they fail to surrender.
Edward Crilly has been arrested for speeding. After his innocent plea, Court adjourns the case. What happens if Edward does not turn up? (see Sprack, p97 7.04)
He will not commit Bail Act offences but may be found guilty in his absence.
How many days can a magistrates court remand an accused in custody before a summary trial?
8 clear days- but in reality normally a week. (Sprack, 7.05)
Which section of the Bail Act deals with absconding?
Section 6 of the Bail Act 1976