dangerousness

Plain English

Dangerousness refers to how likely a defendant is to commit another crime or harm someone in the future. Judges consider this factor when deciding whether to release someone on bail before trial or when determining a sentence. Factors include prior criminal history, the nature of the current offense, substance abuse issues, and whether the defendant poses a threat to a specific person or the community.

Example

A judge may deny bail to someone charged with violent assault if evidence shows they have a history of violence and pose a danger to the alleged victim. Conversely, a first-time offender with stable employment and family ties may be released because they are not considered dangerous.

Used in a sentence

“The court evaluated the defendant's dangerousness before deciding whether to release them pending trial.”

Related terms