NCJ Number
13921
Date Published
1974
Length
151 pages
Annotation
PRETRIAL RELEASE SYSTEM DESCRIBED, WITH STUDY RESULTS SHOWING LOW OVERALL NONAPPEARANCE RATE IN COURT AND LOW REARREST RATE FOR THOSE RELEASED.
Abstract
MARYLAND'S PRETRIAL RELEASE SYSTEM, WHICH ALLOWS FOR RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE UNLESS THERE IS GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE THIS WILL NOT ASSURE COURT APPEARANCE, IS REVIEWED. THE SYSTEM PROVIDES FOR INDIVIDUALIZED RELEASE DECISIONS IN ALL CASES, USUALLY BY A COURT COMMISSIONER. THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER RELEASE SYSTEM WERE OBSERVED, AND A STUDY OF ALL PERSONS COMING BEFORE THE COURTS IN BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE COUNTY, AND PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY DURING THE PERIOD OF JUNE 15 TO JULY 14, 1973 WAS MADE. STATISTICS COMPARING SUCH FACTORS AS LOCATION, TYPE OF RELEASE, AGE, SEX, RACE, SERIOUSNESS OF CHARGE, AND PREVIOUS CRIMINAL RECORD WERE GATHERED AND ARE PRESENTED IN NUMEROUS TABLES. THE OVERALL COURT NONAPPEARANCE RATE WAS LOW (3.9 PERCENT), AS WAS THE REARREST RATE. YOUNGER DEFENDENTS WERE FOUND TO HAVE HIGHER NONAPPEARANCE RATES, BUT RACE WAS FOUND TO HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON NONAPPEARANCE. APPENDIXES INCLUDE MARYLAND POLICY STATEMENTS AND TEXTS OF DISTRICT RULES 777 AND 709, AS WELL AS SERIOUSNESS OF CHARGE CATEGORIES AND DISPOSITION CATEGORIES.