Bureau of Justice Statistics: Pretrial Release of Felony Defendants in State Courts, 1990-2004

Abstract

Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report: Between 1990 and 2004, 62% of felony defendants in State courts in the 75 largest counties were released prior to the disposition of their case. Beginning in 1998, financial pre- trial releases, requiring the posting of bail, were more prev- alent than non-financial releases. This increase in the use of financial releases was mostly the result of a decrease in the use of release on recognizance (ROR), coupled with an increase in the use of commercial surety bonds. These findings are from a multi-year analysis of felony cases from the biennial State Court Processing Statistics (SCPS) pro- gram, sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.Reseña: Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report: Between 1990 and 2004, 62% of felony defendants in State courts in the 75 largest counties were released prior to the disposition of their case. Beginning in 1998, financial pre- trial releases, requiring the posting of bail, were more prev- alent than non-financial releases. This increase in the use of financial releases was mostly the result of a decrease in the use of release on recognizance (ROR), coupled with an increase in the use of commercial surety bonds. These findings are from a multi-year analysis of felony cases from the biennial State Court Processing Statistics (SCPS) pro- gram, sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.