Set automatic bail requirements for those charged with domestic violence offence
- 5,329 Signatures
(Estimated Final Signatures: 6,206 - 10 added in the past 24hrs)
I would like the Government to set automatic bail requirements for those on bail who have been charged with domestic violence related offences, including coercive control and stalking.
Found: Despite bail conditions & orders such as non-molestation orders being in place the police can find it
Ban bail for those accused or convicted of domestic violence
- 197 Signatures
(Estimated Final Signatures: 217 - 1 added in the past 24hrs)
The Government should change the law so that courts cannot grant bail to those accused or convicted of domestic violence. Those accused or convicted of domestic violence should be added to the list of exceptions to the general right to bail in the Bail Act.
Found: We believe no offender of domestic violence should be able to be granted bail due to the trauma victims
Jun. 18 2008
Source Page: Bail and murder: consultation paper. 40 p.Found: Bail and murder: consultation paper. 40 p.
Feb. 08 2024
Source Page: Breakdown of bail orders: FOI releaseFound: Breakdown of bail orders: FOI release
Mar. 04 2024
Source Page: Breakdown of bail related offence statistics: FOI releaseFound: Breakdown of bail related offence statistics: FOI release
Jan. 25 2024
Source Page: Electronically monitored bail breaches: FOI releaseFound: Electronically monitored bail breaches: FOI release
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will require the police to assess the safety of people on bail returning to their home address.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
Pre-charge bail is an important tool available to the police to manage suspects who have been arrested on suspicion of an offence.
Under reforms of pre-charge bail passed in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, police must seek victims’ views, where practicable, regarding whether bail conditions should be imposed and what any conditions should be.
The Government published new statutory guidance on pre-charge bail in June 2023, which can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pre-charge-bail-statutory-guidance/pre-charge-bail-statutory-guidance-accessible
The guidance makes clear that if a suspect has been arrested in connection with an offence involving vulnerable people or domestic abuse, serious consideration must be given to the imposition of bail with conditions to safeguard the victim.
Nov. 27 2023
Source Page: Remand and bail outcomes: FOI releaseFound: Remand and bail outcomes: FOI release
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes who live close to their victims are not bailed to their home address.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The decision to remand an individual in custody or to grant bail is solely a matter for the independent judiciary acting in accordance with the law. The Ministry of Justice therefore cannot intervene in any decision made by the court. The procedures for considering bail and custodial remand are set out in the Bail Act 1976. The Bail Act 1976 sets out the statutory rules which govern the making of judicial decisions on whether to grant bail or remand in custody. The Act creates the presumption in favour of bail for all defendants involved in criminal proceedings.
The courts have the power to impose a broad range of robust bail conditions as part of a bail package. This includes electronically monitored exclusion zones and curfews. Courts will ensure that they have all information concerning the possible imposition of conditions such as suitable accommodation and proximity to victims, before they make a decision on final bail conditions. The rollout of the Bail Information Service, which has received £53 million of funding until 2028, means that dedicated Bail Information Officers will provide courts with bail information reports which contain relevant and factual information to enable the court to reach an informed yet independent decision on whether bail should be granted to a defendant. This will include any recommendations on the suitability of their accommodation or whether alternatives need to be considered.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance is available to courts on the impact of bailing people to live at their home address.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Adult Court Bench Book provides guidance for magistrates who sit in the adult court dealing mainly with defendants aged 18 or over. The Bench Book covers bail and remand and indicates the considerations that must be taken on whether to bail or remand a defendant. If a bail application is made, the magistrates must satisfy themselves that they have been provided with all the relevant information to decide whether to bail or not, including that of accommodation.
The rollout of the Bail Information Service, which has received £53 million of funding until 2028, means that dedicated Bail Information Officers will provide courts with bail information reports which contain relevant and factual information to enable the court to reach an informed yet independent decision on whether bail should be granted to a defendant. This will include any recommendations on the suitability of their accommodation or whether alternatives need to be considered.