Statistical Results of Bail Practices in Selected Federal Courts

In 1978, GAO made a study of the Federal bail process and the operations of pretrial service agencies gathering extensive data on defendant profile characteristics, bail conditions imposed, failure to appear for trial rates for defendants on bail, and the extent to which defendants on bail were charged with new crimes. The information developed was based on random statistical samples gathered in eight Federal district courts. GAO has updated its statistics for four Federal district courts providing data for calendar years 1978, 1979, and 1980.