october utc a magistrate is perfectly able to grant bail to a suspect charged with murder section of the bail act provides that bail shall be granted to a a person accused of an offence who appears before a magistrates' court or the crown court in connection with proceedings for the offence b a person accused of an offence who applies to a court for bail in connection with the proceedings c a person who having been convicted of an offence appears before a magistrates' court to be dealt with for breach of a probation or community service order d a person who has been convicted of an offence and whose case has been adjourned for reports to be obtained before sentence section applies whether a person appears before a magistrates' court or the crown court schedule to the act outlines the circumstances under which the magistrate may choose to refuse bail