The police look at different factors when deciding whether to release or hold you for a hearing in bail court. For example, they might look at whether you have a criminal record, the seriousness of the charges, if you are facing other charges, or if they believe you may not show up for your court date.

​

Reasons Why You Are Being Detained
When the Police have detained you for a bail hearing it's usually for one (or more) of the following reasons:

1. You are believed to be a flight risk*

2. You are believed to be at risk of re-offending*

3. There is very strong evidence that you have committed a serious offence*

4. You are charged with an offence while on release from a previous charge**

5. You have been charged with importing or trafficking heroin, cocaine or any other Schedule 1 substance**

6. You are not a resident of Canada**

7. You are charged with terrorism or association with a criminal organization**

8. You are charged with failure to attend court, failure to comply with a court-ordered undertaking, or failure to appear notice**

9. You have been charged with a Section 469 offence (such as murder)** 

​

*Reasons 1-3 are reasons where the prosecutor must show the court why you should not be released.
**Reasons 4-9  are what is called 'show cause or reverse onus reasons' where you have to convince the court why you should be released.