Just Bail at the Police Station?

One of the miscellaneous provisions of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is a new power for the police to attach conditions to police bail hitherto reserved for the courts. Its proponents argued that it would relieve pressure on police cells and end disruption to court schedules caused by having to deal with overnight remands, as well as benefiting those charged with offences in a number of ways. Based on courts' imposition of bail conditions, considers the extent to which these benefits might be realised in practice. Suggests the pattern of restrictions imposed by the police is likely to be different and that defendants who might once have been released on unconditional bail will now have conditions attached. Also explores risks of unfairness and the potential for illegality, arguing that there are a number of lessons the police might learn from the experience of the courts.