show cause hearing

This is a different name for a bail hearing. At a show cause hearing, a judge or justice of the peace decides if you can be let out of custody or must remain in custody until your trial. You will have a bail hearing if the police officer who arrested you decides to not let you leave the police station.

It is called a “show cause hearing” because, depending on the circumstances:

• the prosecutor must explain why you should be held in custody until your trial, or
• you must explain why your plan satisfies the court’s concerns about releasing you.