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Own Recognizance Project
Process

The O.R. Project operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

An arrestee is ineligible for pretrial release if they are in custody for certain charges of violence, are on felony probation or parole, have three or more bench warrants in the last three years, or if they have any holds for which they must be detained.

Eligible arrestees are interviewed in the County jail processing center (425 7th Street). At that time, an arrestee is asked to provide information pertaining to residence and employment status, as well as community ties. With permission, the O.R. Project will verify all given information with family, friends, or other provided sources.

The O.R. Project then will perform a criminal history investigation on everyone considered for release. This is done using NCIC (National), CII (State), S. F. rap sheet and DMV records.

Finally, a copy of the incident report is obtained from the arresting officer(s).

Once all data is procured, it is compiled into a case and presented to a bail commissioner or judge, who renders a decision on pretrial release or detention. The O.R. Project makes no recommendations; the decision to grant release is strictly judicial and all reasons are kept confidential.

The time from interview to pretrial release may be anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.

Cases are presented to the Bail Commissioner for pretrial release daily. Releases take place some time after 7:00pm.

The O.R. Project attempts to call 24 to 48 hours in advance of a court date to remind defendants to appear in court. The defendant may have conditions placed on their release. It is up to the defendant to adhere to the courts conditions.

If a case is denied, it is presented at arraignment, where the defendant may be granted release by the Court.

Defendants who have been denied released at arraignment may be considered for release at a future court date. For the O.R. Project to present a case in court, an attorney must make a request at least 48 hours in advance of the desired date and have the defendant call the O.R. Project.

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