Legal Services

Bail Applications in Victoria

Criminal Bail Lawyers in Melbourne

Our expert criminal lawyers make bail applications regularly and are highly experienced in this area of law. We can help you seek release from police custody as soon as possible in any Victorian jurisdiction.

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What is Bail in Victoria?

Bail is the process that allows a person to be released back into the Victorian community after they are arrested and charged with a criminal offence. Bail application laws and rights in Victoria are legislated under the Bail Act 1977 (Vic).

If you are charged with a minor criminal offence, the police may grant you bail immediately. In this case, you will be issued a summons and required to attend court on a set hearing date.

However, if you are charged with a serious criminal offence, the police may choose to hold you in custody. If you wish to make a bail application, you will be taken to Court as soon as logistically possible to do so.

Should you be granted bail, you will be allowed to re-enter the Victorian community until the date of your next Court hearing. However, you must abide by a set of Court-imposed conditions whilst on bail. If you break these conditions, you may be penalised and face further criminal charges.

If you choose not to make a bail application in Victoria, or your application is refused by the Court, you will be remanded in custody until your matter is finalised. Depending on which Court your matter is to be heard in, custody may last anywhere from a day to a matter of months or even years. However, in certain circumstances, you may make an application for bail at a later time or appeal your original bail decision.

Please contact Sher Criminal Lawyers immediately if you or a loved one wishes to apply for bail. Our specialist lawyers are extensively experienced in bail matters and appear frequently before the Magistrates Courts in Melbourne and regional Victoria. We are available 24/7 and offer free consultations by way of Zoom, Facetime or in person at our Melbourne and Moorabbin offices.

The Bail Application Procedure in Victoria

The bail application procedure in Victoria usually works as follows:

Bail can be granted at any stage of your criminal proceeding.
The police may release you immediately after arrest or you can make a bail application at a later time when you are brought before the Court.

You are arrested for committing a crime. The police officer, whom you are in the custody of, must consider whether they should grant you bail.

  1. If you are charged with committing a minor or summary criminal offence, you will likely be granted bail immediately. You will receive a summons with a date and time that you must attend court. Some other conditions may also be imposed.
  2. If you are accused of committing a serious criminal offence, the police will likely remand you in custody. The police can refuse to grant you bail if it is practicable to bring you before a court within 24 hours of your arrest. Even if they can’t bring you before a court in that time, the police can still refuse to grant bail if there are legal grounds for doing so (e.g. there is an unacceptable risk that you will re-offend if released from custody).
If you have been refused bail by the police, you can request to appear before a Court as soon as possible to make a bail application. It is recommended that you contact a criminal lawyer who is experienced in bail applications for advice and representation.

When you make your bail application before the Court:

  1. The prosecution will try to prove that you pose an “unacceptable risk” to the community should you be released from custody. The prosecution’s evidence might include information about the seriousness of your crime and your criminal record.
  2. Your lawyer will have to prove to the Court why you should be granted bail. If you can prove that there are “compelling reasons” or “exceptional circumstances” as to why your detention in custody is not justified, these will be considered by the bail decision-maker.

The Court or bail justice will weigh up many complex factors in deciding whether to grant or refuse bail.

  1. Your bail application will be approved if your lawyer can convince the Court or bail justice that there are “compelling reasons” or “exceptional circumstances” as to why your detention in custody is not justified.
  2. Your bail application must be refused if the Court concludes that you pose an “unacceptable risk”.

Your next course of action will depend on the outcome of your bail application:

  1. If you are granted bail, you will sign a written bail undertaking. This document specifies your bail conditions and your next court date. You will then be released from custody, provided you comply with the terms and conditions set.
  2. If you are refused bail, you will be kept in custody until the day of your trial. However, in certain circumstances, you can make a further application for bail.

If you breach the conditions of your bail or fail to appear for your court date, you will be committing an offence. Bail offences can carry a penalty of 3-12 months imprisonment.

What Does the Court Consider During a Bail Application in Victoria?

There is a common law presumption in Victoria that all persons should be granted bail. However, there are many considerations which the bail decision maker must weigh up before granting the accused bail.

Making a Further Bail Application in Victoria

If the Victorian Courts refuse your initial bail application, you can oppose their decision and make a second application at a later date. However, you can only do so in certain circumstances:

  • You were not legally represented at the first bail hearing; or
  • New facts and circumstances have arisen since the first bail application.

Bail Conditions and Offences in Victoria

How to Apply for Bail or a Variation of Bail Conditions in Victoria

Bail applications are highly complex. The Court will only grant you bail if the bail justice is satisfied that you do not pose an ‘unacceptable risk’ to the community. You will likely have to prove that there are “exceptional circumstances” or “compelling reasons” as to why you shouldn’t remain in custody.

Proving these points requires extensive legal experience and expert knowledge regarding the common law, relevant legislation, and court procedure. If you or a loved one wishes to make a bail application, it is paramount that you obtain expert legal advice and representation.

Please contact Sher Criminal Lawyers immediately so that we can help you seek bail and protect your legal interests. Our specialist lawyers are extensively experienced in bail matters and appear frequently before the Magistrates’ Courts in Melbourne and regional Victoria. We are available 24/7 and offer free consultations by way of Zoom, Facetime, or in person at our Melbourne and Moorabbin offices.

We can also help you to make a further bail application or defend criminal charges related to breaching bail conditions.

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