How is bail determined?
Bail is typically determined at the initial court appearance, the arraignment. The court will consider if the defendant is a threat to public safety and if the defendant is a flight risk. Bail is typically set according to the county bail schedule. Depending on the facts of the case, defendants may be able to be released on their own recognizance (OR) or have their bail reduced. Often a bail hearing will need to be set if there is a significant dispute as to the amount of bail or whether a defendant should be released on his or her own recognizance.
