THE REPORT OPENS WITH BACKGROUND INFORMATION RELEVANT TO BAIL PRACTICES IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY. STATE AND FEDERAL COURT DECISIONS PERTAINING TO EXCESSIVE BAIL ARE REVIEWED, AND AN OVERVIEW OF BAIL REFORM IN THE UNITED STATES IS PRESENTED. COMPONENTS OF THE BAIL SYSTEM IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY ARE DESCRIBED, AND STATISTICS INDICATIVE OF THE IMPACT OF BAIL POLICIES AND PRACTICES ARE PRESENTED AND ANALYZED. THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF THE ATTITUDES OF COMMON PLEAS AND MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES TOWARD BAIL ARE REPORTED (SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRES ARE PROVIDED IN THE APPENDIXES). THE OPERATIONS OF THE BOND COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND OF TWO PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING BAIL SERVICES IN THE COUNTY ARE ASSESSED. THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY COURTS ARE URGED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEIR RESPONSIBLITIES AND INTERESTS EXTEND BEYOND SETTING BAIL TO ENCOMPASS THE SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY THE COUNTY'S PRIVATE PRETRIAL RELEASE ORGANIZATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE COURTS ESTABLISH A BAIL AGENCY WITHIN THE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION INCLUDES SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONS OF 10 BAIL REFORM PROJECTS. (LKM)