NCJ Number
176290
Date Published
1998
Length
119 pages
Annotation
This report examines the nature and scope of offending by persons on bail.
Abstract
Most people charged with an offense are bailed or remanded at large if their case is not concluded at first appearance. Most will not abuse the grant of bail and commit additional offenses. However, studies have shown that 19 percent of persons granted bail did offend while on bail. This report provides information on the characteristics of a defendant that provide the best indicators that offending on bail is likely. It analyzes the extent of offending while on bail and the nature of such offending. It compares cases in four categories: those remanded on bail throughout the case, those remanded on bail for some of the case and remanded in custody for some of the case, those remanded in custody throughout the case, and those not remanded on bail or in custody at any stage of the case. The rate of offending while on bail tended to decrease as the age of a person on bail increased. Twenty-six percent of those on bail whose major charge was a property offense offended while on bail. Those with at least one previous offense had a higher rate of offending while on bail (23 percent) than those with no previous offenses (9 percent). Tables, figures, notes, references, appendixes