PHILADELPHIA - COURT OF COMMON PLEAS AND MUNICIPAL COURT - RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE BAIL PROGRAM - EVALUATION REPORT, JULY 1 - DECEMBER 31, 1973

• NCJ Number: 27463
• Author(s): R A WILSON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 27 pages
• Grant Number(s): PH-166-73A
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Governor's Justice Cmssn
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ASSESSMENT OF THIS TWO-YEAR ALTERNATIVE TO MONEY BAIL PROGRAM FOR THOSE WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE COMMUNITY TIES.

Abstract

THIS PROGRAM UTILIZES EXTENSIVE INTERVIEWING, VERIFICATION, INVESTIGATIVE, AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES, TOGETHER WITH BAIL RISK CLASSIFICATION, TO INSURE THE RELEASE OF LARGE NUMBERS OF DEFENDANTS AND TO MAINTAIN LOW FAILURE TO APPEAR AND FUGITIVE RATES. THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS PROJECT WAS EVALUATED ACCORDING TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS GRANTED RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE (ROR), THE PERCENTAGE OF ALL DEFENDANTS GRANTED ROR, THE PERCENTAGE OF DEFENDANTS WILLFULLY FAILING TO APPEAR AT HEARINGS, AND THE PERCENTAGE OF DEFENDANTS WHO FAIL TO APPEAR WHO ARE CLASSIFIED AS FUGITIVES. EVALUATORS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROJECT HAD MET ALL PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. SHORT AND LONG TERM RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING PROGRAM EFFICIENCY ARE MADE, INCLUDING REVISING THE BAIL RISK POINT CRITERIA AND CONSIDERING THE FEASIBILITY OF GRANTING IMMEDIATE ROR IN CASES WHERE THE DEFENDANT'S BAIL IS ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR LESS.