How long can bail last UK?

Asked by: Abigayle Heller  |  Last update: June 26, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (40 votes)

28 days maximum for standard criminal cases
There are still provisions for the police to release suspects with bail conditions. The important difference is that the maximum period is 28 days unless extended by a “senior officer” of the rank of superintendent or above.

How long can you be on bail for in the UK?

Understanding Police Bail

The initial bail period is 28 days but can be extended up to 3 months by a Superintendent. If the Police wish to have bail extended further this will have to be done through the Magistrates' Court. Whilst breaching police bail is not an offence in itself, it can lead to you being arrested.

Can bail be extended past 3 months?

An extension of initial bail by the custody office to 3 months; An extension of bail to 6 months can be granted by an officer of the rank of Inspector; A Superintendent can extend bail to 9 months; After the 9 months point, extensions can then be made by the Magistrates Court.

What happens when police bail ends UK?

What happens if I break the conditions set out to me in my court bail? If you break any of the conditions set out in your court bail, you may be arrested and brought before a magistrates' court. You may be charged under the Bail Act 1976 and could be remanded in custody until your trial begins.

How does bail work in the UK?

You can be given bail at the police station after you've been charged. This means you'll be released from custody until your first court hearing. If you're given bail, you might have to agree to conditions like: living at a particular address.

POLICE BAIL or RELEASED UNDER INVESTIGATION - Two top criminal lawyers answer viewers questions

15 related questions found

What happens after bail is granted?

What is bail? If a defendant is granted bail it means they are allowed back into the public while they await trial or further police investigations, instead of being remanded in custody (ie, locked up). A person can be released on bail at any point from the moment they have been arrested.

Can you bail yourself out of jail UK?

Anyway, bail in the UK is almost always on a person's "own recognisance", often with conditions attached. That means no money is involved. Bail will be granted automatically unless there's some reason not to give it - ie, the person might run off. If that's the case, then they'll be remanded in custody.

Why does bail get extended?

Another reason why bail might be extended is if the offence is an either way or indictable only offence, and the police are waiting for a charging decision from the CPS.

How long can you be released under investigation UK?

If an individual is released on pre-charge bail, the police have an initial time limit of 28 days to continue their investigation. However, this can be extended to three months by a senior police officer.

How long can you be on pre-charge bail?

3.1 Process of pre-charge bail

The suspect can only be detained in custody in most cases up to 24 or 36 hours (referred to as the 'custody clock') before they must be charged or released.

How long can magistrates extend bail for?

You are responsible for the decision of whether to authorise an additional bail period of up to three months. District/Branch Commanders: You are responsible for the governance of investigations where a suspect has been released under investigation or on police bail.

How long after a crime can you be charged UK?

The police can hold you for up to 24 hours before they have to charge you with a crime or release you. They can apply to hold you for up to 36 or 96 hours if you're suspected of a serious crime, eg murder.

How do you get bail conditions lifted UK?

Challenging police bail conditions

If the Magistrates' Court has reconsidered and you are still not happy with your bail conditions, you can apply to the Crown Court to request that certain conditions are changed. The conditions the Crown Court can change include: If you have been told where you must live while on bail.

How long can police hold your phone UK?

The police will hold your property until all relevant matters have been dealt with. Once the letter of authorisation has been sent to you the general procedure is for them to wait 28 days for you to collect your property or for a response either by telephone or in writing.

Can bail be dropped?

Your case can be dropped while you're on bail. If you are bailed without charge, called 'pre-charge bail' this means that you will have to appear at a police station at a later date. This is so that the police can look over the evidence and decide whether or not to charge you.

How long does it take for CPS to make a decision UK?

The CPS will, wherever possible, complete the review and communicate the decision to the victim within an overall review timeframe of 30 working days. In cases where it is not possible to provide a VRR decision within the usual timeframes, for example in more complex cases, the CPS will notify the victim accordingly.

Whats better bail or Rui?

Release under investigation (RUI) is used by the police instead of bail – but unlike pre-charge bail it has no time limits or conditions. This can leave the accused and alleged victims in limbo with no updates on their case for an unlimited time.

What is the time limit for CPS to make a decision?

If the matter is a summary only offence, the police must lay the charge within 6 months of the incident. This adds an element of time pressure to make a charging decision within a reasonable time. For more serious offences, such as rape or sexual assault, the decision is taken by the CPS.

What evidence do CPS need to charge?

The evidence they gather includes documentary, physical, photographic and other forensic evidence and not just witness testimony. The police arrest and interview suspects. All of this produces a file which when complete the police send to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for review and a decision on prosecuting.

How do the police decide to charge?

The decision to charge any person with an offence is usually taken by the CPS. If the CPS decides there is sufficient evidence to charge you with an offence then you will be taken before a custody sergeant who will read out the alleged offence to you.

What happens if bail is refused UK?

If bail is refused to a child the court must remand him or her to local authority accommodation, (s. 91 LASPO). A remand to local authority accommodation is a remand in custody and custody time limits will apply (s.

Do you get bail money back if guilty?

In the event the suspect fails to return to court, the bail will be forfeited. It will only be returned if the suspect was able to comply with the required appearances. Regardless of whether the person is found guilty or not guilty, the bail money will be returned at the end of the trial.

Can you travel abroad while on bail UK?

"If you have travel restrictions on bail and are not allowed to leave Uk can you travel?" You can travel within the UK, as long as you comply with your remaining conditions.

On what grounds can bail be refused?

danger of accused absconding or fleeing if released on bail. character, behaviour, means, position and standing of the accused. likelihood of the offence being repeated. reasonable apprehension of the witnesses being tampered with, and.

How long does it take for a case to go to court UK?

According to government statistics, it took an average of 357 days for a case to get all the way to the Crown Court, and an average of 178 days in court to get to an outcome. The data can be further broken down by charging stage: Time between the offence being committed and being charged: 323 days.