Under what circumstances can defendants be held without bail?

The correct choice is based on the legal principle that allows courts to deny bail when a defendant is considered a flight risk. A flight risk is someone who may attempt to avoid prosecution by fleeing or not appearing for scheduled court hearings. Courts evaluate various factors to determine the likelihood of a defendant fleeing, including their ties to the community, history of missing court dates, and the seriousness of the charges.

When a defendant is deemed a flight risk, it is believed that the potential danger to the court's processes outweighs the presumption of innocence, leading to the decision to hold them without bail for public safety and to ensure proper legal proceedings.

The other options do not reflect circumstances under which a defendant can be held without bail. Having no prior convictions typically suggests a lower risk to the community. Agreeing to pretrial monitoring or pledging money usually indicates a willingness to comply with judicial processes, making these individuals less likely to be deemed a flight risk.