What defines the term "flight risk" in pretrial release evaluations?

The term "flight risk" pertains specifically to the concern that an individual may fail to appear for their scheduled court hearings. This assessment is critical for pretrial release evaluations, as it helps determine whether the individual might abandon their legal obligations and evade the judicial process. Evaluating flight risk involves analyzing various factors, such as the defendant's ties to the community, prior instances of nonappearance, and any indications of planning to leave the jurisdiction or conceal oneself from law enforcement.

In this context, while the risk of changing residence and the chance of evading law enforcement may contribute to the overall consideration of a defendant's behavior and intentions, they are not the core definition of flight risk. Similarly, the potential for committing further crimes is assessed separately under different considerations regarding public safety during the pretrial phase. Therefore, the probability of failing to appear for court hearings is the most accurate definition of flight risk in this scenario.