When someone is waiting for a court hearing or a trial, they might be given bail. Bail allows them to be released from custody until the hearing or the trial.

Bail from a police station

Someone charged with an offence can be given bail at the police station. The police will release them from custody until their first court hearing.

They might have to agree to conditions like:

• living at a particular address
• not contacting certain people
• giving your passport to the police so you cannot leave the UK
• reporting to a police station at agreed times

If they do not follow these conditions, they can be arrested again. They will be held in custody until they are given another court hearing.

Bail from a court

When someone charged with an offence attends their hearing at a magistrates' court, they might be given bail until their trial begins.

The court may refuse bail if the person:

• has been convicted of a crime in the past
• has previously broken bail conditions
• might not turn up for your next hearing
• might commit a crime while on bail

If the court grants bail, the person might have to agree to certain conditions.

What happens if someone breaks bail conditions? 

If someone breaks their bail conditions, they will be arrested and held until they are given another court hearing. The court may refuse further bail applications.

What if they don't attend court? 

If the person on bail fails to attend court without reasonable excuse, they will be arrested and taken to prison until their hearing.

Page last reviewed: 17 July 2024

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