Legal Definitions - own recognizance

Own recognizance (O.R.) is when a judge allows a person accused of a crime to be free while waiting for their trial, without having to pay bail. Instead, the defendant promises to show up for their trial and relies on their reputation to ensure they will appear.

The judge considers several factors before granting O.R. release, such as the seriousness of the crime, the likelihood of the defendant appearing in court, their ties to the community, their employment, and their financial situation. For minor crimes, traffic offenses, and technical law violations, judges often grant O.R. release.

For example, if someone is accused of a minor traffic violation, such as running a stop sign, they may be released on their own recognizance. The judge may consider that the person has a job, has lived in the area for a long time, and has no prior criminal record. The person promises to show up for their trial and is allowed to go home without having to pay bail.