Stay at home conditions
Important
The courts and police stations are running a little differently right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are not sure what it means for you and your bail, contact the court or the police that you’ve been dealing with, or get legal advice. You must continue to follow all the conditions of your bail unless they have been changed.
What does it mean that I have to live at an address?
If your bail undertaking (form) says you have to reside at an address then you have to sleep there every night. Even if you stay one night somewhere else, you are breaking the rules or “conditions” of your bail. For example, you can’t stay overnight at a friend’s house or at a family member’s house. This could result in you being arrested and fined or sent to prison.
What if I need to stay somewhere else or move house?
If you have to stay somewhere else or move house, you can ask to change your conditions. You have to do this before you can stay somewhere else and before you move house.
If you are in danger from domestic or family violence you should call the police. You should get legal advice as soon as you can, and ask to change your bail conditions. Click here for services that can help you.
What does it mean if I have a curfew?
If your bail undertaking says you have to be at home between particular times, you have to be at home during those hours. That is what a “curfew” is. Any time you are not home during those times, you are breaking the conditions of your bail. You could be arrested, fined or sent to prison.
Your bail undertaking will tell you what times you have to be home (or at the place the police or courts have told you to stay). The undertaking will tell you what time you have to get home in the evening and what time you are allowed to leave again in the morning. It’s important you stay at that address between those times. If you are not there between those times you can be arrested, and you might be charged with breaching your bail conditions.