If you’ve been arrested, then you’ll likely be given the option of posting bail and returning home until your scheduled court appearance. How much that bail costs, however, can vary widely.
There are a number of factors that impact bail amounts, and in some cases, it may be denied altogether. With so much to know about bail amounts, we thought it’d be a good idea to run through how to determine bail amount and answer one of the most common questions we get here at Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds: ‘how is bail calculated’? Let’s dive in.
Factors Affecting Bail Amount
As we said above, bail amounts can vary significantly. Some people receive a $5,000 bail; others receive bail that’s $50,000 or more.
So how are bail amounts determined? Some of the key factors that the judge will look at include:
Criminal history of the defendant
The severity of the crime
Whether there’s a flight risk
Whether they pose a danger to the community.
If the defendant has a history of criminal behavior, has committed a reasonably serious crime, and is deemed to be a threat to members of society, then they’ll likely receive a high bail amount. They may even be denied bail.
On the other hand, individuals who have committed a misdemeanor crime will likely receive a bail amount that’s on the lowest end of the scale. However, it’s worth noting that even in these cases, the bail cost can still run into the thousands. If you’ve been arrested and need help posting bail, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds by calling 844-400-2245.
Understanding Bail Calculation
Bail amounts aren’t plucked out of thin air. They’re set by the judge. Well, they’re sometimes calculated by the judge. Most courts have standard bail valuations for common crimes. Unless there are special factors at play, the arrested person will receive the standard bail amount for their crime. While all bails are signed off by the judge, for the vast majority of arrested individuals it’s a pretty automatic process.
Things become more complicated when the person is accused of a more serious crime or when there are other influential factors, such as flight risk. At that point, the judge will weigh up all the details before setting bail.
Determining Bail: What You Need to Know
Most people believe that the cost of bail is entirely out of the defendant’s hands. However, that’s not the case. While the final decision will be made by the judge, an arrested individual can influence the cost of bail. For instance, a person with a job or dependents may argue that remaining in jail will have ramifications that extend beyond simply losing their freedom. In that case, the judge may decrease the bail amount to a more manageable figure — or may even release them on their own recognizance.
It’s possible to appeal the judge’s bail valuation if you believe that they’ve set it at an unusually high amount, though you’ll need the help of an experienced lawyer to do so.
The Science Behind Bail Amounts
To understand the science behind bail amounts, we have to look at the idea behind bail in the first place. Bail exists as a way to allow non-violent offenders to return home while awaiting trial. The cost of bail functions as a monetary guarantee that the defendant will show up for their court appearance.
With this in mind, it makes sense that a defendant deemed to be a flight risk would have a higher bail amount than someone with obvious ties to the community. Setting bail at a high amount provides a clear incentive for the defendant to follow the conditions of their release. After all, if they don’t show up, then they’ll likely forfeit the money unless they can provide the court with a good reason. And when the average cost of bail in California is $50,000, that’s a significant sum of money that most people could not afford to lose.
Explaining the Bail Determination Process
OK, so let’s take a look at how the bail determination process functions. The details can vary from jail to jail, but the process is more or less the same.
First, the defendant is booked into jail. After that, they’ll have their first appearance before the judge. It’s usually at this stage that the judge determines whether bail will be granted and, if so, at what cost. As we said above, if it’s a relatively straightforward case then this process will be pretty quick, since most courts have standard bail amounts for the most commonly committed crimes.
If it’s a more serious crime then a bail hearing may be set. During this, the judge will hear arguments from both the defendant and the prosecution before making their decision.
Once bail has been set, the defendant will be able to ‘post bail.’ They can do this in a number of ways, including using their own cash. However, most people find that it’s better to work with a bail bond agent, who will post the bail on the defendant's behalf in exchange for a fee, usually 10% of the total bail amount.
Unraveling the Mystery of Bail Amounts
Bail amounts can seem pretty mysterious. In fact, most things related to bail can seem mysterious — after all, the only knowledge most people have of bail comes from the movies.
So why do some people receive bail valuations that run into the hundreds of dollars, and others have bail that runs into the tens of thousands? It’s all to do with the severity of the crime, the criminal background of the arrested individual, and whether they’re a flight risk. If the court views the case as serious, then an expensive bail amount will be inevitable.
If you’ve been arrested and need to post bail, then get in touch with Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds today. Our experienced bail bond agents are on hand 24/7, 365 days a year, and can help ensure you can return home as soon as possible.
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