THE STUDY EXAMINED THESE CHARACTERISTICS IN RELATION TO CHARACTERISTICS OF DEFENDANTS, COURT DELAY, AND SPECIFIC FORMS OF BAIL, ESPECIALLY RELEASE SECURED BY PROFESSIONAL BONDSMEN AND RELEASE RECOMMENDED BY THE MECKLENBURG COUNTY PRETRIAL RELEASE PROGRAM (PTR). SAMPLES OF ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF ALL CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS ARRESTED IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA (EXCLUDING THOSE ARRESTED FOR DRUNKENNESS, TRAFFIC, AND FISH AND GAME OFFENSES) DURING THE FIRST QUARTERS OF 1971, 1972, AND 1973, WERE TRACED THROUGH LOCAL POLICE AND COURT RECORDS. IT WAS FOUND THAT BAIL OPPORTUNITY GENERALLY IMPROVED DURING THE STUDY PERIOD, MINIMAL CHANGE OCCURRED IN THE PERCENTAGE OF DEFENDANTS WHO FAILED TO APPEAR, AND THE NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS REARRESTED ON NEW CHARGES WHILE ON BAIL ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY. SOME FACTORS INFLUENCING THESE CONDITIONS WERE INCREASED COURT DELAY AND A TURNOVER IN PROFESSIONAL BONDSMEN. SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPANDING AND IMPROVING THE PTR PROGRAM ARE SET FORTH. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...EB