I have been charged with a crime and after getting arrested I was told that I was being released on unconditional bail. I don’t know what that means.
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Answer by Shamaila Khan, Kingsville 3012 VIC
- Since you have been released on unconditional bail you are free to go about your business until the date of your next hearing.
- You must attend at the next court hearing.
- If you do not turn up on the scheduled hearing date a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
- The alternatives to being awarded unconditional bail are conditional bail and remand.
- On conditional bail:
- you are free to go about your business after the initial hearing provided you comply with the conditions the court imposes;
- conditions may include a requirement for you to report to your local police station on a daily basis among other things; and
- you must comply with all conditions of a conditional bail agreement or a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
- If you are placed on remand this means that bail has been refused:
- instead of being released you will be taken from the courtroom after the initial hearing and placed in detention until your next hearing date; and
- young people under the age of 18 will usually spend their time in remand at a juvenile justice centre.