On bail but not charged? What does it mean?

If you have been released on pre-charge bail, this means the police have made the decision to continue the investigation while imposing certain conditions on you. The police can only impose bail conditions if they believe it is necessary and proportionate in the circumstances. This means that conditions can only be put in place to prevent a ‘real risk’ rather than fanciful risk to a person involved in the case, stop further alleged offences from being committed, or to avoid interfere with the investigation. Common conditions may include restrictions on who you can contact, where you reside or where you can go.

If you have been released on bail, it is crucial to follow the conditions in place carefully. We will review your bail conditions, challenge them if they are unfair or unnecessary, and ensure that the police are not keeping you on bail longer than legally allowed.