How long can police keep you on bail?

Asked by: Jan Hammes  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (38 votes)

What it did do was to establish that, initially, the police can only bail a person for 28 days, although this can be extended by a senior police officer to a total of three months, and thereafter it can be further extended by a magistrates' court, ultimately indefinitely.

How long do police bail conditions last?

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.

How long can police hold you 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. You can be held without charge for up to 14 days If you're arrested under the Terrorism Act.

How long can police hold you before charge?

How long police can hold you in custody depends entirely on the circumstance. Generally, the standard time the police can hold you for is 24 hours until they will need to charge you with a criminal offence or release you. In exceptional circumstances, they can apply to hold you for longer, up to 36 or 96 hours.

How many times can the police put you on bail?

There is no limit to the number of times a person can be bailed without charge. The police are under an obligation to conduct investigations “diligently and efficiently” – those two obligations are at odds with one another, which means that the new time limit on bail has caused the police some real problems.

What can (and can't) you do while you're on bail? [Criminal law explainer]

36 related questions found

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.

Does bail mean you have been charged?

Being on bail means that you have been arrested or charged with a crime and can leave the police station or court, but you must return / go to court on a specific day at a specific time. If you do not attend court you can be arrested.

How long can the police keep my phone?

If the police do find evidence on your phone, they will likely keep it until the conclusion of any trial that may take place – this can take months or even years depending on the circumstances.

What evidence do the police need to charge you?

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.

What happens when you go back to the police station after bail?

I HAVE BEEN BAILED TO RETURN TO THE POLICE STATION

This police bail will usually involve the imposition of bail conditions. If you fail to return to the Police Station on the bail date you will commit a criminal offence which can be punishable by imprisonment.

How long can police seize 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.

What happens when you are on bail UK?

Bail from a police station

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: ... giving your passport to the police so you cannot leave the UK.

Can police read texts UK?

The police can read your text messages when they obtain your data through phone extraction. In addition, they can get an order from the court that will oblige your service provider to disclose a list of the times and dates that messages were sent and their recipients.

Can police bail conditions be changed?

The easiest and most cost-effective way to vary bail conditions is by consent of the Crown Prosecutor. This means that the Crown Prosecutor agrees to changes in the bail conditions. The changes are then presented to a Judge who generally will simply sign off on the variation.

What happens when on bail?

Bail often means a defendant enters into a recognisance (a bond between them and the court) to pay money if they break the conditions of bail. ... If a person is charged and released by the police on bail, the first court appearance must be within 28 days from the date of the charge.

What happens when a case goes to CPS?

The CPS: decides which cases should be prosecuted; determines the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases, and advises the police during the early stages of investigations; prepares cases and presents them at court; and.

How do I know if the police are investigating me UK?

Although police investigations begin from the initial report of an allegation, an individual will only know that they are being investigated once the police have contacted them. This can either be once the individual has been arrested or if they are contacted to attend a voluntary interview with the police.

Can police handcuff without arresting UK?

The use of handcuffs by Police Officers is a use of force and their use must be documented and accounted for. ... In most circumstances where handcuffs are used, the subject will be arrested, but there are some occasions, where legislation allows for force to be used if necessary, where a subject is not under arrest.

How can the police prove I was on my phone?

One way the police can prove that you were using the phone illegally is to access your data. The law allows the police to make contact with your service provider and apply for your phone records/call log.

Can police retrieve deleted Whatsapp messages?

Keeping Your Data Secure

So, can police recover deleted pictures, texts, and files from a phone? The answer is yes—by using special tools, they can find data that hasn't been overwritten yet. However, by using encryption methods, you can ensure your data is kept private, even after deletion.

Can police search your text messages?

The way the law stands now in most states, police can take your cellphone, read your messages, and even copy data for a search later, citing the fact that you may be able to delete it remotely.

What happens after bail is granted?

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). ... This may be granted in the police station after interview or the court after the preliminary hearing.

What are the conditions of bail?

WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OF THE BAIL?
  • If before conviction, that the defendant shall answer the complaint or information in the court in which it is filed or to which it may be transferred for trial.
  • After conviction, that he will surrender himself in execution of the judgment that the appellate court may render.

What it means to be released on bail?

Where bail is granted to a person involved in a criminal investigation or charge, they are allowed to remain out in the public while they are either awaiting further investigations or court appearance, as opposed to being detained in custody.