Bail & Bond Questions — Ask the Inmate
The period between arrest and trial is one of the most confusing and financially stressful moments a family can face. Bail and bond decisions happen quickly, the amounts can be overwhelming, and the consequences of getting it wrong are immediate. This section covers how bail is set and what factors judges consider, the difference between cash bail and a surety bond, how bail bondsmen work and what they charge, what happens when bail conditions are violated, and what families can do when bail is set too high to afford. Understanding the bail system is the first step toward getting a loved one home while their case proceeds. The answers here come from real experience navigating the system from both inside and outside the courtroom. Whether your loved one was just arrested or has been waiting weeks for a bail hearing the information in this section will help you understand your options and make informed decisions quickly. See also our sections on Pending Criminal Charges and Sentencing Questions.
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If an inmate anywhere can make the bail that posted, they will get released with stipulations. The bail bond company is reassuring the Court that the offender will appear for all the court appearances. The bail bond company might take into consideration the offender is from a different county and could add more cost to the bond. It's all done on a case-by-case basis determining the risk to the bond company and deciding on how much money will assure compliance.
Read moreMaterial witness holds last as long as the US Marshal needs their testimony. They will hold him on the immigration violation but use his testimony at the trial of the people he was a witness to. In the end he will most likely be deported back to his home country.
Read moreIf a lieutenant offered to send your inmate home with a GPS monitoring device, then take it. We have no idea how the other warrants would affect this offer. If all the information that you've stated in your is correct, we cannot see how they would allow him to leave when there is a no bond hold and outstanding warrants. We know that typically, when there are outstanding charges from another jurisdiction, they place a "detainer" on the inmate
Read moreNot all of the charges and bond information are posted online. You can always find this information at the Clerk of the Court where the charges were levied. This is where the lawyers get their information.
Read moreBail is set based on the trustworthiness of the offender to report to their appointed court date, the nature of the crime, public safety from the offender and their criminal history. There is a baseline that the magistrates go by for setting a bond amount. There must be some serious charges or elements to this detention for a high bond. We can assure you it has NOTHING to do with election time, that passed a month ago.
Read moreThis is a frustrating situation because the failure to appear was not his fault. He was in custody and being moved between facilities on the day he was supposed to be in court. That kind of administrative mix-up happens, and the courts are not always quick to unwind it on their own. The no-bond hold exists because a judge or magistrate has decided, at least for now, that he is a flight risk based on the missed appearance. The
Read moreThe bail bonds man - you are paying them to vouch for your niece's "promise" to appear for her court appearances. If she skips, the bond is forfeited, your ten-percent and their ninety-percent.
Read moreThe problem is the probation violation. Bond will be denied and they will have to answer for the new charges. He will have to face the magistrate and deal with whatever the charge or indictment is from the arresting officer/agency. Probation violation is a slippery slope because the offender must eventually face the original sentencing judge - they do not like seeing someone come back after they have been given a change at redemption with an early release.
Read moreUnless he can get released on his own recognizance, he will stay there until the bond is placed to assure the court of his appearance.
Read moreSignature bond is like a "get out of jail free card". When a criminal suspect is arrested, booked, and granted "own recognizance" release, no bail money needs to be paid to the court, and no bond is posted. The suspect is merely released after promising, in writing, to appear in court for all upcoming proceedings. Failure to appear and there will be no amount of money to release you.
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