Working With A Criminal Attorney

Do You Deserve To Get Out Of Jail Free?

Being arrested, no matter what the circumstances, is no picnic. Regardless of the crime which you are charged with, your innocence, or the outcome, being arrested humbles and embarrasses almost everyone. Undoubtedly, getting of out jail is a top priority for everyone, but there is more than one way to do so. Read on to find out about, by far, the best way to get out of jail and what it means to your future.

Paying the Cost of Bail

It should be mentioned that while being bailed out is the most common way to get out of jail, you shouldn't take it for granted that bail is an easy process. Some crimes are considered too serious to allow a release. If you have been charged with certain felonies like murder, rape, kidnapping, etc., it can be a challenge to get out of jail. Your criminal defense lawyer will need to request a bail hearing and persuade the judge that you are not a flight risk before bail can be granted. If you are offered bail, the amount might be too high to afford. You might need to have your lawyer ask the judge to lower the bail to a more affordable amount. If you are really lucky, though, you might be released without having to pay bail at all.

When Justice Takes a Calculated Risk

You may have heard the term "own recognizance." This term means that you are free to go without having to pay money to the court. To be eligible for this type of release, the situation must meet certain conditions, such as:

  • You are a first-time offender and have either no criminal record or have been accused and convicted of very minor crimes.
  • You live in the area, are employed, and have family and community ties to the area.
  • You are well-known in the community and will be easy to track.
  • You have been accused of minor, non-violent offenses.

Own Recognizance and Bail: Similarities

When you are bailed out, it's about more than a financial payment to the court, and the same thing goes for "own recognizance" releases. Those bailed out of jail have to make some promises to the court. Chief among those is the pledge to appear at all future court dates in relation to the case. If you don't appear as scheduled, the judge can issue a bench warrant immediately and you can be arrested. You are also charged with an additional crime, failure to appear. The same thing can happen if you are released on your own recognizance. You still must obey all the conditions set forth by the court.

To find out more, speak to a criminal defense attorney at a law firm like William G Mason Attorneys about your case as soon as possible.


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