In the U.S. bail system, bail is essentially a promise. The defendant agrees to make all scheduled court appearances and in return is allowed to remain free pending the outcome of his or her case. A magistrate or a judge sets the bail amount, and that bail is paid in either cash or collateral (property) … Continued
We tend to think of a trial as a single event, but in reality, it is a multi-stage process. The pretrial procedures begin with arrest and booking and extend through to the defendant’s first appearance and bond hearing. The result of the bond hearing determines whether a defendant may be released on bond until … Continued
These days, money is tight for many of us, and an unexpected expense can easily break your household budget. If a loved one is suddenly arrested, the cost of securing their release until their court date can seem like an impossible hurdle to clear. Yet allowing them to remain incarcerated means lost work, missed obligations, … Continued
Unlawful arrest (also called “false arrest”) is one of the darker aspects of the American criminal justice system. To understand unlawful arrest and its magnitude, we must look briefly at the laws surrounding the act of arrest itself. Then we can better examine the available statistics on how many unlawful arrests occur in the U.S. … Continued
Waiting for the release of a loved one from jail can be an especially stressful and frustrating time—and any delay in their release can make this time even harder. While most defendants are released within 2 to 6 hours after bond is posted, there are factors that can drag the process out, sometimes as long … Continued
If you’re encountering the bail bonds system for the first time, the experience can be confusing. You might feel that the people in charge of securing your release (or the release of a loved one) are speaking an unfamiliar language, and this can add to the stress of an already stressful situation. To help reduce … Continued
Learning that you have an outstanding arrest warrant can be upsetting. Maybe you missed a court date because you didn’t receive proper notification or because the date was changed at the last minute. Whatever the cause, you know you have to deal with the warrant, but you aren’t sure of the next right thing to … Continued
One of the greatest challenges facing the ex-offender is securing steady employment. Many employers are hesitant to consider applicants with criminal records, and the job prospects for those with a prior felony conviction are often limited. But the news isn’t all bad. Here we’ll take a look at some ways the formerly incarcerated can find … Continued
One of the hardest of life’s many challenges is coping while a loved one is behind bars. For many, it is a time of hardship and upheaval that can strain a family’s resources, test personal relationships, and damage reputations. But if you find yourself in this situation, it is important to know that you are … Continued
According to the Governors Highway Safety Organization (GHSA), 1.5 million Americans are arrested each year for driving while intoxicated (DWI). National Highway Transportation Safety Organization (NHTSA) data show that over 10,000 people lose their lives in alcohol-related accidents annually. So before you get behind the wheel, you may want to ask yourself whether you’re sober … Continued
