Atlanta Bail Lawyers

Bond and Bail

In the United States, and pursuant to state law, anyone who is arrested is entitled to a fair amount of bail to be paid in order to leave jail before their scheduled proceedings. What is bond and bail? What are your rights? And how can you be protected? Read on for more information on Georgia bond and bail.

The terms bond and bail refer to sums of money demanded by the court as a kind of insurance that the arrested person will appear at their scheduled criminal proceedings. Essentially, a bail bond allows you to remain free temporarily until your court date, at which point your further detention is determined in a hearing. You will generally be given a bail amount within 48 hours of your arrest.

The amount of bail can vary widely depending on the accused crime and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. The amount can be raised if you are considered to be a serious flight risk or a risk to the community. However, federal law requires that bail be "reasonable," i.e. just enough to keep you from flight or posing an additional threat – no more and no less. You can be denied bail in some circumstances, but the court will need to show that they have good reason to do so. If you show due diligence and show up to all scheduled hearings and court appearances, the court will refund your bail; however, if you do not comply with court orders, you will be considered to have "jumped bail" and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

Generally, you can pay the court with collateral or cash, or purchase a bail bond from a bailbondsman. However, not all defendants can afford bail, and the entire bond and bail process can prove extremely stressful to a defendant who has already endured an arrest. Both the accusations and the financial risks can feel overwhelming to someone who has a long criminal process ahead of them.

In such situations, it’s important to arm yourselves with Georgia criminal defense lawyers who understand your rights and have a successful track record in criminal court. That’s why we recommend you choose Conaway & Strickler, P.C. to represent your interests in bond and bail issues. Contact us today for more information on our track record, expertise, and a free, confidential case consultation.