Officer Paul A. Davis and the Whitehall Crime Watch meeting attendees welcomed Magisterial District Judge Robert C. Halal of District Court 31-1-07 as a guest speaker at the July 28 crime watch meeting.

The meeting continued the theme of "Taking Citizens through a DUI Arrest" begun the previous month.

The lifelong resident of Whitehall and 1982 Whitehall High School graduate began his presentation by addressing a common law citizens must follow.

An individual may not drive or operate or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs or prescription drugs, he said.

He recalled one of the most serious DUI cases in modern times. A defendant had a blood-alcohol level of .43 percent.

"It's very rare that [one] sees that," he said, "and that person is still walking into my office after that."

There are five types of bail for an arrest, which "is done either at the time of the arrangement, at central booking, or at the preliminary hearing," Halal said, who served 16 years as a constable before becoming judge.

The first type of bail is release on your own recognizance, which means the defendant signs an agreement to appear in court when required and no amount of bail is set.

The second is release on nonmonetary conditions.

The third is release on unsecured bail bond, which means the defendant is liable for a set amount of money.

The fourth is release on nominal bail bond, which includes a very low bail amount set.

"Usually we use that when the person is already incarcerated and we know [he or she is] not getting out [of jail]," Halal said.

The fifth is release on monetary condition, which consists of cash, bail bondsman or real estate.

Halal also spoke about a recent child pornography case that occurred in South Whitehall. He set the bail for $500,000.

Each judge sets his own bail for a case. Halal uses several aspects when judging a case.

"I go by previous convictions. I go by [his or her] record, probation or parole, do they have ties to the community, do they have a job, is [his or her] family here," Halal said.

A goal Halal had for his presentation was to educate people about DUIs.

"Things happen very fast. [It's a] split decision that people have to watch for," Halal said.

Halal's office is located on Crescent Court East in Whitehall.

Crime watch meetings are held in the public meeting room of the municipal building the fourth Monday of each month.