Beginning

In the courtroom, the bailiff calls the name of the case, then the accused, also known as the defendant, is brought out to stand in front of the judge. The defense attorney stands next to the defendant. The prosecutor faces the judge on the opposite side of the room from the defense. Large cities may use a closed-circuit camera inside the jail, and the judge and others in the courtroom simply view the accused on a video monitor.

Time Frame

A bail hearing usually will take about three minutes at most. The charges are briefly read, and the judge reviews the case file and accepts any formal, written notices required by law from the prosecutor and defense attorney.

Prosecutor

The prosecutor briefly describes the case and recommends whether or not bail should be set, and how much it should be.

Defense

The defense attorney requests bail, challenges the prosecutor's statements, presents facts supporting a lower bail amount and may even request the release of the defendant.

Features

Unlike at a trial, the lawyers at a bail hearing do not object or interrupt each other. In minor cases, such as drinking in public, the judge may agree to resolve the case on the spot.

Bail

The judge decides whether to allow bail, sets the amount, then ends the hearing. The defendant returns to jail until a bail bond is posted. If the judge has set ROR bail or "release on recognizance" based on a defendant's promise to return on the date of trial, the defendant may be free to go immediately or after a brief processing at the jail.

Source:

"BailYes.com: Bail Bonds 101"