Magistrates are state officials who can issue warrants for arrest based on factors such as citizen complaints and police observations. They can also make an initial decision regarding the release of an arrestee’s release while awaiting trial. People with a stable job, family or address may be released on a promise to appear. Other arrestees may have to post a cash bond in order to ensure their appearance at trial. Still others may be held in jail until trial if the magistrate and judge deem them dangerous or unlikely to appear for trial or subject to other risk or aggravated factors.