In this post, we look at three essential things you need to understand about bail hearings, including how a bail hearings lawyer could help someone accused of a crime secure a release.

1. Bail Hearing is Not a Trial

Due to many depictions of court on TV and social media, many of us confuse trials and bail hearings. While both take place in court and require proper court etiquette, the purpose behind them is very different.

A trial is where the verdict is made on whether the accused is guilty or innocent. This does not necessarily mean it is the chance for the accused to ‘tell their side of the story’, instead it is up to the judge to make the final decision.

Conversely, a bail hearing does not decide the accused’s fate. Instead, it only decides what happens to the accused in the meantime. Given that accusations of serious offences could mean the accused represents a potential threat to the public, they may be taken into custody until their bail hearing. If it is decided that the accused is a risk to others, they will likely be kept in custody until their trial.