Reviewed on: April 28,2026

Can a No Bond Be Changed to a Bond at First Appearance?

My girlfriend got arrested today will her no bond be set to a bond or for at first appearance?

Asked: June 24, 2017
Author: Amy
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A no-bond designation means the system has flagged her as someone who should not be released before a judge reviews the case in person. It is not necessarily permanent, but it does mean she is going to stay in custody until at least the arraignment or first appearance hearing.

At that hearing, a judge will review the circumstances and decide. Depending on the charge, her criminal history, and the arguments made by her attorney, the judge can do one of three things: maintain the no-bond hold, convert it to a bail amount, or in limited circumstances, release her on her own recognizance. Getting the no-bond converted to a bail amount is possible, particularly if the charge is not the most serious category and she has ties to the community that suggest she is not a flight risk.

Having a defense attorney present at the first appearance is critical for this exact reason. An attorney can make the argument for bail in a way that carries far more weight than anything said without representation. If she does not have an attorney, she should request a public defender immediately upon booking.

Until that hearing happens, she is staying in custody. The first appearance is usually within 24 to 72 hours of arrest, depending on the jurisdiction.

https://www.inmateaid.com/ask-the-inmate/can-a-no-bond-be-changed-to-a-bond-at-first-appearance#answer
Accepted Answer Date Created: June 25,2017