Once you post bail, you're able to resume your everyday life as you await trial. And if you know how bail bonds work, you can use them to your advantage.



Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions associated with the bail system. These unflattering concepts have brought on false expectations of the bail bond process. Before you post bail, take a look at the truth behind common myths in the bail bonds industry.

1. Everyone Is Entitled to Bail

If you're held in custody, your lawyer could request the court for a bail hearing as you await trial. Interestingly, not everyone can post bail. The presiding judge will consider whether you're a flight risk or a danger to society as they determine your eligibility for bail.

If you have no close family or work ties in the jurisdiction of your arrest, you may be considered a flight risk and excluded from bail. You could also be denied bail if you face serious charges for crimes with heavy penalties.

According to the Cornell Legal Information Institute, other instances of bail denial may apply to:

• Repeat offenders with a lengthy criminal record
• Those accused of capital crimes such as treason
• Offenders whose crime caused injury or death to others

Also, if you previously failed to show up in court upon request, a judge has grounds to deny you bail. But if you're allowed bail, reach out to a reputable bail bonds agency. They can help you raise the total amount if you cannot raise the money on short notice.

2. Bondsmen Can Negotiate Bail Terms

Bail bond agents don't have much influence on court proceedings. They can only help you post bail if you cannot settle the full bail amount yourself. Unfortunately, some people believe that their bail bondsmen can help negotiate these amounts in court. But courts have to consider state and jurisdiction laws before they set a final amount.

For most states, different offenses attract different bail terms. Therefore, the bail amount you pay will depend on the specifics of your case. For example, California has laws that describe the magnitude of various crimes and the bail terms they attract. For a minor offense, you may have to come up with at most $50,000 for bail. On the other hand, serious crimes could attract $1 million or more as the final bail amount.

Your bail bondsman has little say on what happens in court. During a bail reduction hearing, you can only negotiate bail terms yourself or through your lawyer. Oftentimes, the courts only reduce your bail amount if you present a reasonable legal argument for your case. For instance, if you don't have a prior criminal record, you can request a reduced bail amount.

3. You Can Ignore Bail Conditions

The terms of your bail remain valid as long as you stick to the rules set by the court. You could find yourself back in jail if you violate any of the following rules.

The court could order regular check-ins with an appointed pretrial officer while you're out on bail. You might also have to find a job and stay employed as you await trial. In addition, the court could place travel restrictions to ensure that you only travel within your home state. These steps will prove to the court that you are a productive member of the community and aren't a flight risk.

Also, make sure you show up for all your trial hearings and on the scheduled court dates. If you fail to appear, the judge could place a warrant out for your arrest. In most cases, the judge may also forfeit your bond, and you'd lose the collateral you used to post bail.

Now that you're familiar with common bail bonds misconceptions, you can better understand how to smooth out your bail process. But if you're unable to raise the entire bail amount for your case, feel free to reach out to us at Don's Bail Bonds today.