5 Reasons Your Law Firm should be Educated on Bail Bonds

If you're a lawyer or law firm, it's essential to understand how bail bonds work. If your client faces criminal charges, they may be required to post a bond. Bail is designed to ensure that an accused person returns to court for their trial and is not a punishment. If the defendant fails to appear at their trial, the defendant forfeits the money they put down as collateral (called an "appearance bond").

The Bail Bond System

Bail bonds are essentially a way to guarantee that you will appear in court. When you're arrested, your bail bond is an amount of money that you pay to the court to be released from jail. Suppose you agree to uphold your end of the bargain and make it through all stages of the judicial system. Without violating any laws or failing to appear in court when required, you will get this money back after your trial or hearing. However, suppose you violate these terms during this process and fail to appear in court as promised (or cannot meet other terms, such as providing proof that one's employment situation has changed). In that case, one loses their bail bond altogether—and forfeits all rights over it as well."

How Bail Bonds Work

• The state licenses bail bond agents.

• Bail bond agents are not lawyers.

• Bail bond agents can't do anything for your case except help you post bail. This is why it's vital to hire a lawyer immediately after your arrest so they can begin handling your defense from the start of the criminal process.

• The only thing bail bond agents can do is post bail on behalf of an inmate in jail who has been arrested and charged with a crime throughout the United States.

How Bail Bonds Affect Your Client's Case

While bail bonds are typically required for defendants who cannot afford to pay their bail, there are other circumstances where a bail bond may be required.

When a defendant is released on their recognizance, they must meet all the exact requirements and restrictions as if they had been released on bail. If the defendant fails to appear in court or violates any conditions of their release, they will face additional consequences. For example:

• A defendant who fails to appear in court can be arrested on an outstanding warrant and held without bail until they are brought before the judge who issued it. If convicted of this offense, they could face fines and jail time and have their driving privileges suspended or revoked due to a suspended license (DMV).

• A person who violates any condition of their release may be charged with contempt of court and held without bond until they appear before a judge who will determine whether they should continue being detained while awaiting trial.

Why Might People Need a Bail Bond?

As a criminal defense attorney, you're likely to encounter several clients who have been arrested and are waiting to go to court. For example, professionals who work at a Riverside bail bonds office see cases like these all the time. When this happens, it can be frustrating for your client to be stuck in jail while their pending a case.

In most cases, those charged with a crime will be given bail if they can afford it. Suppose they cannot afford bail or do not have someone willing to post a bond on their behalf (called an "eligible surety"). In that case, they may remain incarcerated until their trial date arrives—or longer if more evidence needs to be gathered by law enforcement before proceeding with the case.

What Happens If the Defendant Fails to Appear?

There are several consequences for failing to appear in court on your agreed-upon date:

• The judge will issue a warrant for your arrest. You must pay the total amount of bail, additional fees, and fines before being released from jail.

• Your criminal case may be dismissed because bail cannot be posted on behalf of the client.

You may want to know what happens if your loved one fails to appear in court.

Conclusion

You should be educated on bail bonds because it will help you better serve your clients and your business. The bail bond industry is significant and gets bigger every day. By understanding how bail bonds work, you'll be able to serve better your clients who need them.

Maggie graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in communication and writing. In her spare time, she loves to dance, read, and bake. She also enjoys traveling and scouting out new brunch locations.