Bail is important

A remand in custody following refusal to grant bail has a significant impact on the person through:

the deprivation of liberty, exposure to and experience of custodial conditions and gradual demoralisation
hampering the preparation of their defence
a lost opportunity to demonstrate the potential for rehabilitation while in the community before matters are finalised
loss of employment and housing
time spent in custody unnecessarily if they are eventually acquitted
an inducement to plead guilty to finalise the matter, despite their innocence
loss of opportunity to make a better impression on the court by appearing at liberty rather than ex-custody
an inability to settle domestic affairs, make arrangements for family, housing, debts, employment and other commitments prior to serving a sentence of imprisonment.

Bail is important : Last Revised: Wed Oct 2nd 2024

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