Release on Recognizance (ROR) Doctrine

This doctrine outlines the procedures for issuing misdemeanor citations and releasing suspects at the scene, rather than transporting them to a facility for formal booking.

Cite and Release Process

When an officer arrests a suspect for a misdemeanor offense that typically carries a jail sentence, they may exercise their discretion to utilize a "cite and release" procedure. Instead of physically transporting the suspect to a holding area for booking, the officer issues a criminal misdemeanor citation.

Legal Classification

Legally, a misdemeanor citation is equivalent to an arrest. For administrative purposes, such as in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, these incidents should be recorded as "zero-time arrests." The primary distinction between this and a standard arrest is that the suspect remains at the scene and is not processed into a jail facility.

Exemptions

This doctrine does not apply to all misdemeanor offenses. Any specific laws that are exempt from the cite and release process are clearly noted directly within their respective penal codes.