12. Charged with an offence
If I’m charged with an offence, the police will explain what happens next and any rules I have to follow until I get to court.
If you’re charged with an offence, you will need to go to court.
While waiting to go to court, you usually have a right to bail. Bail means that you can leave but will have to go to court at a specified time and date. If you do not show up to court at that time and date, this means you’re committing a crime and may be charged with another offence.
The police might give you some rules to follow – for example, where you must live until you go to court, or people you’re not allowed to contact. This could be to keep you or others safe.
If you’re not charged with an offence, the police might release you under investigation. This means you’re free to go home and there are no rules you need to follow, but the police will continue to investigate the offence they think you committed. They could arrest you and charge you in the future.
Previous page:
Next page: