Court Procedures & Legal Requirements Flashcards

What is a 'bench warrant'?

Answer: A warrant issued by a judge for someone who failed to appear or violated a court order

A bench warrant is issued directly by a judge authorizing law enforcement to arrest someone who failed to appear or violated a court order.

What is 'bail jumping'?

Answer: The criminal offense of willfully failing to appear after being released on bail

Bail jumping is the criminal offense of willfully failing to appear in court after being released on bail, which may result in additional criminal charges beyond the original offense.

What is a 'conditional release' in the bail bond context?

Answer: Release from custody subject to specific court-ordered conditions beyond financial bail

Conditional release means a defendant is freed from custody but must comply with specific court-mandated conditions such as travel restrictions, check-ins, drug testing, or no-contact orders.

What happens at arraignment in relation to bail?

Answer: The defendant enters a plea and bail is often set or reviewed at this hearing

At arraignment, the defendant formally hears charges and enters a plea, and bail is commonly set, reviewed, or modified at this initial court appearance.

What is a 'detainer' or 'immigration hold' and how does it affect bail?

Answer: A request by another agency (like ICE) to hold a defendant regardless of bail being posted

An immigration or agency detainer requests that a jail hold a defendant even after bail is posted, because another agency (such as ICE) wants custody of the individual.

What is the Bail Reform Act of 1984 most known for?

Answer: Allowing federal courts to detain defendants without bail based on danger to the community

The Bail Reform Act of 1984 authorized federal courts to deny bail and order pretrial detention for defendants deemed a danger to the community, beyond just flight risk.