Bail is so expensive in cases where the release of the defendant is riskier. High bail means the defendant or bond agent has to post more money. The high cost is an incentive for the defendant to adhere to his conditions of release.
Many defendants ask why their bail is so high after they are arrested and often stress over when they remain in jail pending trial. They wonder how they will come up with the bail money needed to get out of jail. Although the law guarantees your bail will not be excessive, it does not ensure that it will be affordable.
Bond amounts for misdemeanors are usually set by a bail schedule and rarely are high. Felonies however are another thing and are set by judges, not bail schedules. Why is the cost of getting out of jail higher in some cases than in others? What determines if a person will be granted a low bail or a high one?
We will shed light on the answers to these questions, and if you have a high bail, the benefits of working with a bail bond agent when posting bail.
If you or a loved one is stuck with high bail, you have the right to know why. The reason bail is so expensive in some cases is revealed at a bail hearing, or there are factor that influence the decision.
Factors That Determine if You Can Post a Bail Bonds?
There are several determining factors for a judge to consider when deciding how high bail should be. The following are some factors that will be examined before deciding.
Evidence
The court is going to consider the amount of evidence against the defendant. If the judge reviews the evidence and believes a guilty verdict will result from the trial, bail may be set higher.
Prior Criminal Record
The court will also review the defendant's prior criminal record. How many priors have they had? What types of crimes have they committed? Have they done jail time? Are they a repeat offender? Even if the current charges are unrelated to the past criminal history, bail may still be set higher than usual.
Flight Risk
You have likely heard about flight risks if you've ever watched TV courtroom dramas. If a person has significant criminal charges now or in the past, they could try to run from them and avoid trial. The judge must weigh this factor very carefully when deciding if they will set a high bail amount.
When you consider the above variables this can help answer the question, why is bail so expensive.
Who Determines Bail Amounts?
The judge presiding over the bail hearing will typically set the amount. Some bails are predetermined according to the law. Even in these circumstances, judges have some say over the final cost, and how you can post bail.
Can The Bail Amount Be Reduced?
Once the judge has set bail, the defendant's lawyer has the right to file a motion for reduced bail. A second court proceeding will be scheduled for the defendant, and the matter will be discussed at this time.
During the proceeding, the defendant can have their lawyer submit further evidence to ensure the court understands their client is not likely to flee. Getting the bail amount reduced is not guaranteed.
Sometimes, a judge will list a bail amount as zero or no bond for the defendant. A zero bond means the court has reviewed the severity of the crime and wants to hold the defendant in jail for the crime they are alleged to have committed.
In other cases, the court may require you to post the full bail amount or post a bail bond through a licensed bond agent.
What Is a Commercial Bail Bond?
A commercial bond is also referred to as a bail bond. Under the commercial bond system in the United States, you have the right to hire a bondsman by paying a fee that includes a certain percentage of your bail amount. The fee percentage is mandated at the state level.
Contact Us Today for Help
Dealing with an arrest is highly stressful for defendants and their families. Defendants want to get out of jail and return home as soon as possible. Waiting through the booking and bail hearing process becomes taxing.
We understand you have a lot of questions right now and may need help understanding your options and how to proceed with securing a bond for your loved one or friend. We are here to help and post any bail bonds you need.
Allow us to help you through the process each step of the way. We have been working in the industry for many years and offer sound advice and guidance to clear up the muddy waters and help you better understand the process of hiring a bail bondsman. Contact us right away to get started.
Bail is so expensive in cases where the release of the defendant is riskier. High bail means the defendant or bond agent has to post more money. The high cost is an incentive for the defendant to adhere to his conditions of release.
Many defendants ask why their bail is so high after they are arrested and often stress over when they remain in jail pending trial. They wonder how they will come up with the bail money needed to get out of jail. Although the law guarantees your bail will not be excessive, it does not ensure that it will be affordable.
Bond amounts for misdemeanors are usually set by a bail schedule and rarely are high. Felonies however are another thing and are set by judges, not bail schedules. Why is the cost of getting out of jail higher in some cases than in others? What determines if a person will be granted a low bail or a high one?
We will shed light on the answers to these questions, and if you have a high bail, the benefits of working with a bail bond agent when posting bail.
If you or a loved one is stuck with high bail, you have the right to know why. The reason bail is so expensive in some cases is revealed at a bail hearing, or there are factor that influence the decision.
