Understanding Bail

Bail is a method to get the defendant home during the trial proceedings. There is an old saying that goes "it's much better to fight your case on the outside (of jail) than on the inside." A Bail Hearing is not a period of time to argue the merits of the case. Bail is an amount of money used by the court to ensure the defendant comes back to court when required to do so.

The 2 factors the judge considers before setting bail. Any bail argument by the defense attorney must address both parts:

1.     Is the defendant a danger to the community?
2.     What is the likelihood the defendant will flee?

In order to get bail reduced the defense attorney should do the following:

1.     Demonstrate the defendant is not a danger to the community
2.     Demonstrate the defendant presents no likelihood to flee. The defense
        attorney can present this in various ways and must demonstrate the alleged
        crime is not one that the defendant would do again:
        -Character references
        -Community support
        -Stable employment history
        -Memberships in religious or civic organizations
        -Surrendering the defendant's passport
        -Agree to electronic monitoring
        -Community ties
        -Local employment
        -Local family ties

There exists several bail release options. These may include:

1.     Surety Bond (most common): The bail agent guarantees to the court that they
        are responsible for the bond if the defendant fails to appear.
2.     Release on Own Recognizance (get out of jail free card): If the judge is
        convinced the defendant is not a risk, he may release the defendant ("O.R.").
3.     Cash Bail: The defendant is responsible for paying the entire amount of bail to
        be released. The defendant will receive his bail back at the completion of all
        court appearances.
4.     Property Bond. The court records a lien on the property of the defendant to
        secure the bail amount.

To find out more information about these topics, please call us direct at (888)880-CRIME or (888)884-ABOGADO.

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