However, for more serious offenses and habitual offenders, a bail hearing is scheduled for a judge to decide how much to set their bail at, or whether to set one at all. Bail hearings are generally held within the first 36 to 48 hours of arrest, but interestingly enough, the term “bail hearing” is not actually used in our state’s criminal code. Instead, the term “show cause hearing” is used, and “bail hearing” is a colloquial term used interchangeably in its place.
Show Cause for Release or Detainment
A show cause hearing is the same thing as a bail hearing. The term comes from the purpose of the hearing, which is the prosecution and defense to argue why a defendant should be detained or released prior to their criminal trial. Each side must “show cause” for their argument, and at the end, a judge ultimately decides the defendant’s release.
Held for Show Cause
So if you call the jail to locate a friend or loved one who has been arrested, and the police officer informs you that they are “being held for show cause”, it simply means that their offense or priors do not make them automatically eligible for bail, and a bail hearing has been set for them in the next few days to determine the possibility of their release. A licensed bail bondsman can answer any questions you have about arranging bail after a show cause hearing.