Bail Flashcards
What is bail?
Pre-trial matter to decide if a suspect should be remanded in custody or released pending trial
When may a person be released on bail?
Several points during criminal procedure:
- After being arrested by the police
- After being charged and before the trial
- During the trial itself e.g. if an adjournment = needed
Do the police have the power to grant bail?
Yes
May release a suspect on bail whilst they make further enquiries
On the condition that they return on a specific date
‘Bailed to return’
Who in the police makes the decision to grant bail?
Custody officer
Under s38 PACE as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
Can bail be refused?
Yes for a variety of reasons
When can the police refuse to grant bail? (3)
- Suspect’s name + address cannot be discovered
- If police think that a suspect has given a false ID
- For their/ others protection
If a person fails to surrender to bail, what do the police have the power to do?
Arrest him
Where are the rules of bail contained?
Bail Act 1976
What does the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 allow the police to do?
Allows them to impose conditions on granting bail
What conditions can the police impose on granting bail? (4)
- Request the suspect to surrender their passport
- Reporting regularly to the police station
- Not interfering with witnesses
- Enforce a curfew
What happens if bail is not given by the police?
Suspect must appear in the Magistrate’s Ct at the earliest possible opportunity
What is the main Act on bail?
The Bail Act 1976
s4 states that = general assumption that a person should be given bail, but this right is limited in some cases
What does s4 of the Bail Act 1976 state?
That there is a general assumption that a person should be given bail
BUT this right is limited in some cases
Under what conditions does the courts not have to grant bail?
If = satisfied that = substantial grounds for believing that if suspect = released on B he would:
- Fail to return to custody
- Commit an offence
- Interfere with witnesses/ otherwise obstruct course of justice
OR if they believe that the suspect should be kept in custody for his own protection
What are 4 factors a court will need to consider in deciding to grant bail or not?
- Nature/ seriousness of the offence
- Character, antecedents (previous conviction), associations and community ties of the D
- If D has surrendered to bail on previous occasions
- Strength of the evidence against him