Years ago, for the purpose of fighting crime, Baltimore City was broken down into districts. In each district was a station house, with holding cells inside. Depending on where a defendant was arrested, he would be taken to the district that serviced that area. Upon being taken in, the defendant would immediately be allowed a telephone call. Afterwards, he would be fingerprinted, photographed, and would wait approximately 8 hours to see the court commissioner.

The commissioner, considering the defendant’s past criminal record, stability as a citizen, and the safety of the general public, would make a decision to either:

A. Set an appropriate bond (the commissioner had broad discretion on the amount)
B. Release the defendant on his/her own recognizance
C. Hold the defendant without bond

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