Release After Arrest

If you are arrested without a warrant and the crime is a less serious one, the police will release you unless it is likely that:

• you are not giving the police your correct name and address
• you will not go to court on your court date
• you will commit other crimes before your court date
• you will try to get rid of evidence of the crime after they release you
• you will threaten witnesses who may be giving evidence against you

If none of these apply, the police must release you as soon as possible.

If you are arrested with a warrant and the crime you are charged with is not murder or another very serious offence, the police can also release you.

If the police decide to release you, they will give you an appearance notice or ask you to sign an undertaking. The police can also release you and later compel your appearance by serving a summons on you as long as you were not arrested with a warrant.

The appearance notice or undertaking will state what you have been charged with. It will include a date and time you must appear in court. In can include a date and time that you must appear for fingerprinting as well.

The undertaking may contain conditions. Any conditions must be reasonable in the circumstances of the offence and be necessary to:

• ensure that you appear in court when required
• ensure the safety and security of any victim of or witness to the offence
• prevent further offences from occurring

Conditions can include:

• remaining in a certain geographic area
• notifying police of any change in address or employment
• residing at a specified address
• not communicating with certain people or going to certain places
• reporting to the police
• depositing your passport
• not drinking or taking drugs
• promising to pay up to $500 if you do not appear as required
• not possessing any firearms

If the police keep you in jail, you will get a bail hearing before a judge or a Justice of the Peace (JP). If a JP or judge is available, the police must bring you before a one as soon as possible. In any event, it must be no later than 24 hours after your arrest. If a JP or judge is not available within 24 hours, the police must bring you before one as soon as possible even if it is more than 24 hours later.

If the police are holding you, they can help you call what is known as the Brydges Line. You will get legal advice over the phone. There is no cost for this service and it is available for anyone being held by the police.

More information about bail hearings is available here.