Which of the following statements about judges’ decisions on pretrial release is true?

Judges have the final authority in decisions regarding pretrial release, taking into account various factors, including legal recommendations, risk assessments, the nature of the charges, and the defendant's background. This means that while recommendations from probation officers, attorneys, or other agencies may inform the decision, it is ultimately the judge who makes the determination of whether to grant or deny release. This authority allows judges to exercise discretion and make decisions tailored to the specifics of each case.

The other statements are not accurate. The idea that judges always grant release is misleading, as judges evaluate each case individually and can deny release based on several factors such as flight risk or potential danger to the community. The notion that judges can only deny release if the defendant has prior convictions does not hold, as they can consider a range of information, even for first-time offenders. Lastly, the claim that judges must adhere to a mandatory sentencing guideline for release is incorrect because pretrial release decisions often involve discretion rather than strictly following mandatory guidelines.