BONDS

When a person is arrested a bond is set in almost all circumstances. This is the amount of money the person needs to pay to get out of jail.

The defendant can either bond out with a bail bond agency or wait to see a judge within 24 hours. (If the defendant cannot afford to bond out of jail immediately – he/she will be brought before a judge for FIRST APPEARANCE/ADVISORY HEARING – AT THAT TIME THE JUDGE WILL EITHER:

• RELEASE THE DEFENDANT ON THEIR OWN RECOGNIZANCE
• LOWER THE BOND
• LEAVE THE BOND AS IT IS

FACTORS A JUDGE MAY CONSIDER WHEN MAKING A BOND DETERMINATION:

• TIES TO THE COMMUNITY
• HOW LONG THE DEFENDANT HAS LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY
• EMPLOYMENT
• FAMILY TIES TO THE COMMUNITY
• PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD
• PRIOR FAILURES TO APPEAR IN COURT
• THE SEVERITY OF THE CRIME
• THE REQEUST OR PROTECTION OF THE OF THE VICTIM

Basically the judge wants some assurance that the Defendant will appear in court at the next court date and that the victim will be safe. (FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES THERE MAY NOT BE A BOND)