For some misdemeanor offenses (petit theft, traffic offenses, and possession of marijuana), an officer may choose to give you a NOTICE TO APPEAR rather than arrest you and bring you to jail. If you are ARRESTED, you are handcuffed, taken to Orient Road Jail, booked into the jail, and given a bond. In order to get out of jail, you will need to post a bond in order to insure that you will appear at your future Court hearing(s). If you are given a NOTICE TO APPEAR by the officer, the paper will notify you of your future court date, you are not handcuffed and not booked into jail. You are free to go. But you must still appear at your Court hearing. If you fail to appear, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASK THE OFFICER FOR A NOTICE TO APPEAR RATHER THAN BE ARRESTED.