NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

Which option describes a feature of police bail?

1. The defendant is free until trial without restrictions

2. The defendant must report back to the police for further questioning

3. The defendant cannot leave the jurisdiction

4. The defendant is guaranteed court representation

The correct answer is: The defendant must report back to the police for further questioning

The option stating that the defendant must report back to the police for further questioning accurately describes a key feature of police bail. When someone is granted police bail, they are typically required to return to the police station at a designated date or time. This allows the authorities to continue their investigation or to gather additional evidence. The requirement to report back helps ensure that the defendant remains accountable to the legal process while the investigation is ongoing. In contrast, features such as being free until trial without restrictions, being unable to leave the jurisdiction, or being guaranteed court representation do not apply universally to police bail. Some conditions may restrict a defendant's movements, but those are specific to certain cases and not inherently part of the police bail process itself.