Bail Information

The following information relates to offenders over the age of 16.  For Youth offending, please see Youth offending - general information

The period of time between a first court appearance on a new charge, and the final appearance when a person is found to be not guilty, or when a final sentence is imposed, can be lengthy.  When the court has no reason to be concerned about a person's behaviour, he/she is simply "Ordained to Appear" at subsequent court Hearings.  In other cases, courts have two mechanisms to ensure attendance at future court Hearings and also to be assured that the accused person will be of good behaviour during the course of the court proceedings, and will not interfere with, or cause alarm or distress to witnesses.  People can be remanded in custody or placed on a Bail Order.  Various conditions can be attached to Bail Orders and a Breach of the conditions is a criminal offence.

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