Being Charged With A Crime

If the police believe that are involved in the crime you’ve been arrested for then you will be charged with that crime.

The custody officer at the police station should explain to you what you’ve being charged with and will give you a charge sheet explaining the details of the crime and your arrest. A decision will be made whether to release you on bail or keep you in custody on “remand” until a Court hearing.

Bail:

 If you are released on bail then you’re allowed to leave while your crime is being investigated or while you wait for a Court date. You can be released either on Police bail or Court bail. 

Police bail is granted at the time you are charged by the police. It is an agreement between you and the police and might includes conditions on where you can live or who you can contact. You might have to report to the police station at agreed times to prove you haven’t run off. If you fail to turn up then a warrant will be issued and sent to you in the post asking you to come to the police station. If you still don’t go then you’ll be arrested and be sent to prison to wait for your hearing. 

Bail may be refused if the offence you’re charged with is a serious one or if you have a serious criminal record. It may also be refused if the police are aware you’ve breached bail terms in the past or are concerned you may run off and not attend your court hearing. They may also believe that you could commit further crimes while on bail. 

If the police don’t think it is suitable to bail you then they will send you to jail where you’ll be kept on remand until you can be seen by a magistrate. You should be seen within 24 hours although it can be 48 hours at a weekend. The purpose of the first magistrates hearing will be to give you an opportunity to ask the Court to grant you bail.