Release On One's Own Recognizance Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Release On One's Own Recognizance, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Release On One's Own Recognizance?

(v) Release on ones own recognizance is the action taking by a judge releasing a criminal defended until the commencement of trial considering his past history, employment, social status, type of crime, situation of crime etc

History and Meaning of Release On One's Own Recognizance

Release on one's own recognizance (ROR) has been in use in the American legal system since the early 1900s. It refers to the release of a defendant from custody, without bail, based on the defendant's promise to appear in court for all scheduled hearings and proceedings. Judges typically grant ROR to low-risk defendants who are unlikely to flee or pose a threat to the community.

ROR is designed to reduce the number of pretrial detainees in jail and preserve the defendant's presumption of innocence until proven guilty. However, it is important to note that ROR is not a right, and judges have broad discretion in deciding whether to grant it.

Examples of Release On One's Own Recognizance

  1. John was arrested for a minor offense, but the judge granted him release on his own recognizance because he had no prior criminal history and was not considered a flight risk.
  2. Maria was granted ROR but failed to show up for her court hearing, leading to her arrest and revocation of her ROR status.
  3. The district attorney requested that the judge set bail for the defendant, arguing that he was a flight risk, but the judge instead granted ROR, finding that the defendant had strong ties to the community and was unlikely to flee.

Legal Terms Similar to Release On One's Own Recognizance

  1. Bail - Money or property pledged to the court as collateral to ensure that the defendant shows up for trial.
  2. Bond - Similar to bail, but it involves a third party (such as a bondsman) posting the required amount of money to secure the defendant's release.
  3. Pretrial Detention - The practice of holding individuals in jail before their trial or hearing, often because they cannot afford bail or are deemed too dangerous for release.