, 8 October 2012 (UTC)

A magistrate is perfectly able to grant bail to a suspect charged with murder. Section 4 of the Bail Act 1976 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 4 applies whether a person appears before a magistrates' court or the Crown Court. Schedule 1 to the Act outlines the circumstances under which the magistrate may choose to refuse bail.   21:49