NCJ Number
154014
Date Published
1994
Length
78 pages
Annotation
Focusing on five magistrates' courts in England in 1993, this research focused on how information about defendants is obtained and how the question of bail is decided.
Abstract
The analysis focused on cases starting with arrest and until a decision was made in court. Information was collected by means of discussions between the researcher and criminal justice practitioners in each area, observations of the five courts, and a survey of custody officers serving in each area. Results revealed that bail before charge is being used more frequently as a result of the recommendations of the Working Group on Pretrial Issues. The checking-in of those returning to the police station after a period of bail is broadly seen as satisfactory, although the workload created sometimes causes problems. Participants also commented on bail after charge; the use of this provision clearly varies with individual police officers. Findings also indicated the need to address training and advice; a majority of the officers, including those who had received training, believed that they would benefit from further training. Tables, figures, footnotes, appended instrument and figures, and 20 references