Police Bail

After being arrested, police will hold the offender in custody at a police station. Police can only hold an offender for a limited time.

They must either charge the person with an offence or release them. If they are charged they will have to appear in court.

The police will either release the person on police bail or hold the person in custody until their first court appearance.

This will usually be by 4.00pm on the next working day at the court closest to where the offence happened.
Courts do not operate on the weekend or on public holidays.

Police Bail covers the period between arrest and the first court appearance.

DCS does not become involved until after the person's first court appearance and do not manage people granted Police Bail. Police custody is not the same as being in prison.

Find out more about Police Bail on The Legal Services Commission website.