What does or mean in court?

Asked by: Ephraim Ryan  |  Last update: May 30, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (11 votes)

n. short for "own recognizance," meaning the judge allowed a person accused in a criminal case to go free pending trial without posting bail. A person so released is often referred to as having been "OR-ed."

What is an or in legal terms?

It has a definite, agreed-upon meaning: when used properly, the construct signi- fies “A or B or both.” In most areas of law, there is simply no compelling reason to avoid using and/or. The term is clear and concise. It derives criticism mainly from instances in which peo- ple use it incorrectly.

What does or mean in jail terms?

Getting released on your own recognizance, or OR, means you don't have to post bail or a bond in order to be released from custody following an arrest. However, getting released without bail is not available to everyone.

What does release own recognizance mean?

Own recognizance (OR), also called personal recognizance, means a release, without the requirement of a posting bail, based on a written promise by the defendant to appear in court when required to do so.

What type offender would most likely be released on his or her recognizance?

It is more likely for a defendant to secure a release on their own recognizance if they do not have a previous criminal record, and they committed a non-violent crime. Family or other individuals may make an appearance in support of the defendant's request for release.

Court Meaning

15 related questions found

Is being released on or good?

In a Nutshell: If one is released from jail on his or her own recognizance (OR) after an arrest and does not have to post any bail, it is important to appear in court as ordered because if one does not, the judge can then issue a bench warrant and when defendant eventually comes to court, the judge can set bail or even ...

What does or stand for in jail?

What Is Release on Recognizance? Release on recognizance gets you out of jail based on a promise to appear in court. In other words, a judge agrees to let you out of jail in exchange for your word that you'll show up for all your future court dates—plus a signed contract to that effect.

What is the $1000 personal recognizance bond?

A personal recognizance bond will get a person released without having to put up any money. However, if he fails to make his court appearance and turns himself in, he will be incarcerated. He can bond out at that point for the $1,000 that was set.

What is release on recognizance status?

A “release on one's one recognizance” is a court's decision to allow a person charged with a crime to remain at liberty pending the trial, without having to post bail.

What does r and r mean in court?

PLAINTIFF'S MOTIONS TO COMPEL

Scheer entered a report and recommendation (“R&R”) on March 6, 2009, recommending that this court grant the summary judgment motions of Defendants Correctional Medical Services (“CMS”) and John Steele and grant the remaining Defendants' motions to dismiss.

What does 13 mean in jail?

The number 13 - demonstrates being a member of the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang.

How does a personal recognizance bond work?

A Personal Recognizance bond, often referred to as a PR bond or release on recognizance, is a type of bail that allows a defendant to be released from custody without having to pay money upfront. Instead, the defendant signs an agreement to appear in court as required.

How long does the jail release process take?

Processing time: Once bail is posted, the jail needs to process the paperwork and verify the funds before releasing the defendant. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the jail's workload and staffing levels.

What does or stand for law?

short for "own recognizance," meaning the judge allowed a person accused in a criminal case to go free pending trial without posting bail. A person so released is often referred to as having been "OR-ed."

What does an or stand for?

The abbreviation OR stands for operating room. In turn, the definition of operating room is literally “a room in a hospital where operations are done.” Furthermore, an OR nurse assists during surgeries, and OR nursing refers to the surgical or perioperative nursing specialty.

Is being released on your own recognizance a good thing?

Release on your own recognizance means you don't have to pay bail. Simply put, OR release is no-cost bail. Defendants released on their own recognizance need only sign a written promise to appear in court as required. No bail has to be paid, either to the court or to a bail bond seller.

Can I travel with order of release on recognizance?

Like an Order of Supervision, an Order of Release on Recognizance includes many conditions and requirements that must be followed such as checking in with an ICE representative and a restriction on travel. If any of the conditions are violated or any court dates missed, the individual can be arrested.

What does recognizance mean in court?

recognizance, in Anglo-American law, obligation entered into before a judge or magistrate whereby a party (the recognizor) binds himself to owe a sum of money in the event that he does not perform a stipulated act. If he fails to perform the required act, the money may be collected in an appropriate legal proceeding.

What does it mean to be released on or?

An own recognizance (O.R.) release is a court order that allows a defendant to be released from custody without posting bail. Instead, the defendant signs an agreement promising to appear in court as required and to comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

Do you get bail money back if guilty?

The answer is usually yes — bail money is refunded after the trial if you've followed the court's instructions and attended all required hearings, irrespective of the verdict. But there's a catch: if you used a bail bondsman, their fee isn't returned.

Is $10,000 a lot for bail?

For instance, if the charge were for a misdemeanor, that might be a substantial sum. However, if the offense were a felony, $10,000 might be in the lower range. Bail for felonies can be tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars. From a personal standpoint, $10,000 is a lot of money.

Do you go to jail immediately after sentencing?

If a defendant goes to court on their own, enters a plea of no contest or guilty with the prosecution, and is then given a sentence to jail, then they are going to go to jail immediately almost 100% of the time.

What are the four types of release?

Types of Release
  • Parole. "Parole" means the release of a prisoner to the community by the Board of Parole (BOP) prior to the expiration of the offender's sentence. ...
  • Probation. ...
  • Determinate Release. ...
  • Community Corrections.

Why do inmates call officers 12?

The reason for shouting it may be that the correctional officer enters a living area at the “12 O'clock” position, or that 12 is just one of the many “Early Warning Codes” used.