Bond and Bail to get Out of Jail

Following an arrest, you are probably pretty anxious to get out of jail. Depending on various factors, pretrial release may be an option for you. Whatever the situation, having an experienced local attorney looking out for your rights can make a big difference in how things go for you. The options you’re looking at range from paying a bond, being released on your own recognizance, or staying locked up until your trial.

Understanding Bail Bonds

A bail bond is an often-used method to secure a financial guarantee that a defendant will appear in court when ordered to do so. The amount of bail is determined by the judge based on certain parameters, and a bondsman guarantees the bail amount after the defendant–you–pay the bondsman a non-refundable premium, or percentage of that bail, known as the bond. Usually, the bond is around 10 percent in the state of Maryland. The bail bondsman issues a surety bond to the court on your behalf, which is a promise that you will show up to court as directed. If you skip town, the court calls the bond due, and the bondsman must pay up, which means they’ll track you down for the balance, all of which you must forfeit.

Obviously, bondsmen don’t offer this agreement just because they’re so concerned about you. They get to keep the premium 10 percent you paid up front, regardless of the outcome, and they’ll certainly use myriad means to find you if you disappear. Additionally, unless you have the collateral–like a car, house, or cash in the bank, for example, they won’t make a deal with you in the first place because the risk won’t be worth their while. In a circumstance like that, they will require a co-signer, or indemnitor. If you turn out to be unreliable financially, whoever signs on your behalf will be stuck with the debt.

Strings to Bail

The court doesn’t offer the option of bail to everyone.  Multiple issues are considered by a judge as they determine if, and what amount, to set bail, including:

• Any criminal history you may have;
• The nature and details of the crime;
• Your calculated risk of flight;
• Your financial circumstances;
• Any family, job, and/or other connections to the community;
• Available alternatives such as reporting requirements, monitoring, or release on your own recognizance (ROR).

After being granted bail, the court will restrict your activities, and any violations could result in the revocation of the bail agreement and put you right back behind bars until your trial. Some restrictions may include:

• Restrictions on communications or on visiting certain people or places;
• Travel limitations;
• Random drug or alcohol testing;
• Wearing an ankle bracelet.

Protecting Your Rights

The aggressive La Plata & Waldorf criminal defense attorneys at The Law Office of Hammad S. Matin, P.A. always fight to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcomes for you. When the court doesn’t see ROR as an option, we work to get a manageable bail set and go to work on your defense. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation today.