The police officer who arrests a person eligible to apply for release on bail must:
An application for bail is made on a simple form which is available in both police stations and courts. The bail authority (that is, the court or person to whom the application is made) can allow an application to be made in some other way (for example, someone who has any difficulty completing the form can ask to make the application orally) [s 8(1)(a) Bail Act 1985 (SA)].
The police must give as much assistance as is reasonably required to anyone in their custody to complete a written application [s 8(2)(a) Bail Act 1985 (SA)].
A child under 18 years can be assisted by a parent or guardian to make this application [s 8(2a) Bail Act 1985 (SA)].
A person who knowingly provides false information on a bail application is guilty of an offence and faces a fine [s 22 Bail Act 1985 (SA)].
Persons not eligible for bail
If a person who has been arrested is being detained pursuant to the Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) for a purpose related to the investigation of an offence, the person is not eligible for release on bail until the end of that detention [s 4(2) Bail Act 1985 (SA)].
Additionally, a person is not eligible for release on bail if the person is being detained under Part 3 of the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015 (SA) [s 4(3) Bail Act 1985 (SA)].