Well, every state conducts a preliminary hearing when criminal charges are filed, typically before a minor-court judge, so it’s not as if this is unusual. And since we can’t incarcerate a person for crimes they’ve been charged with prior to a trial and verdict of guilt (or, more commonly, a guilty plea), the decision to grant bail and in what amount turns on whether the person is flight risk and presents a danger to others, among other considerations. A few states have gotten rid of bail in recent years and instead use a form of pretrial supervised release. Most states, like PA, offer bail for non-capital offenses. The amount varies, but many, many criminal defendants can’t afford to post bail and wind up awaiting trial in county jail.