This department has two career paths, law enforcement and detention services. The career path that you choose to enter when becoming employed is the one in which you are expected to work for at least two years. The arrest of a suspect is based on probable cause to believe the person may have committed the offense. This is usually obtained by evidence collected or a confession. Many times the information is discussed with the District Attorney before a decision is made.
Every person arrested is entitled to a bond unless it is a murder case.
These bonds are set by the magistrate when the person is first arrested and the amount of the bond is from a predetermined list with amounts established by the Chief District Court Judge. This cash is returned when the case is disposed in court. A person under the age of 16 can only be put in detention in Guilford County after the child commits a serious felony, violates a court order, or violates house arrest. Anyone over the age of 16 is treated as an adult for the purposes of a criminal offense and can no longer be adjudicated delinquent or undisciplined after attaining the age of 16. Persons convicted of crimes in criminal court are sentenced according to guide lines established by the State of North Carolina and Judges can not impose alternate sentencing.