The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Bill of Rights states that, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury…” But what constitutes a “speedy trial,” and how is this standard maintained for all defendants? The Amendment was constructed in this way to … Continued
In the U.S. criminal justice system, judges and juries make their determinations of guilt or innocence based upon the evidence presented during a trial. Some of this evidence may take the form of documents, electronic records, photographs, or even objects, while other evidence is revealed through the spoken or written testimony of witnesses. It is … Continued
The U.S. Constitution was written with many built-in protections for American citizens. The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, define these protections in detail. The 8th Amendment states that, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” Drawn almost verbatim from … Continued
Being arrested, booked, and charged with a crime can be a frightening and disorienting experience, especially for first-time offenders. The way arrestees are processed differs slightly by jurisdiction, so it’s not always easy to know what to expect. When can you contact your family? When will you be brought before a judge? How is bail … Continued
In the United States legal system, state and federal crimes are handled differently. Whether a defendant is prosecuted in state or federal court depends largely on the nature of the charges and where the alleged crime was committed. Federal crimes, for example, may include: Any crime that involves two or more state jurisdictions (such as … Continued
The U.S. criminal justice system functions at its best when all participants act in good faith. We’ve all seen TV shows where witnesses testifying in court swear to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” But what happens when police or prosecutors lie under oath? Though rare, it does happen with … Continued
The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution assures that every defendant facing criminal charges has the right to a public trial (At Bond James Bond, we always recommend that defendants avoid awaiting trial in jail). But what happens when a jury is unable to reach a verdict in a criminal case? And do defendants in … Continued
The rights of a citizen who has been accused of a crime are central to U.S. democracy. As a nation, we’ve long prided ourselves on granting due process to each defendant, regardless of charge or ability to afford an attorney. Let’s look at the law, how it’s changed, and the ways in which it affects … Continued
The attorney-client relationship was conceived as being beneficial to both parties (just like the relationship between a defendant and a knowledgeable bail bond agent is beneficial to both parties). The client gains the experience and labor of the attorney and the attorney advocates for the client in return for financial compensation. But sometimes these relationships … Continued
In a criminal or civil case, your attorney is your best advocate. Just like a trustworthy bail bond agent can be your best friend when you are in jail. Whether you’re charged with a crime, going through a divorce, or settling an estate, an attorney skilled in that specific area of practice can guide you … Continued
