Bail is money that some criminal defendants are required to deposit to guarantee that they will return to court if released from jail while their cases are pending. Although there are several exceptions, in general people arrested for an infraction or a misdemeanor must be released upon signing a written notice to appear.
Exceptions to this general rule include cases in which:
- The arrestee requests to be brought before a judge
- The arrestee refuses to sign a promise to appear
- The arrestee is charged with a violation of a domestic violence protective order
- The arrestee is severely intoxicated or requires medical attention
- The arrestee has outstanding warrants
- The arrestee fails to provide satisfactory identification
- The release would jeopardize the prosecution of the offense for which the person was arrested
- The safety of others would be jeopardized if the arrestee is released
- The officer has reason to believe the arrestee will not appear
- The arrestee is charged with Driving Under the Influence