Posting bail is one guaranteed way of a safe release after being arrested. If your loved one has never been arrested before, the bail acts as a surety that you will attend court hearings as required. No matter what bail bond services you use, many factors will determine how you will end up paying. Learn about these factors below.
If you require bail bond or felony bond services in El Paso, Freedom Bail Bonds can help. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 today and see how we can help.
Factors That Influence Bail
Nature and Severity of the Offense
Minor crimes are typically settled with a smaller bail, as you may already know. More severe offenses call for significantly higher bails. These bail amounts are set by state and federal laws and specific jail regulations. That said, misdemeanors call for lower bails than felonies, and so on.
The Bail Bond Algorithm
El Paso courts have used math and algorithms to make informed decisions regarding pretrial releases in recent years. Specific information about the defendant is entered into a program, which then releases a score or recommendation. The algorithm uses the following to assess bail:
- Age
- Criminal history
- The risk that the defendant could commit another crime or probability of appearing in court
Criminal Record or History
On the risk of committing another crime, criminal records and history also play a significant role. If you do not have a criminal record, you will more than likely get a smaller bail than someone who is a repeat offender with a lengthy record. Defendants with outstanding warrants or are on parole may not even have the opportunity to make bail or will need a felony bond.
Employment Status
A judge also looks at personal status. Believe it or not, factors such as employment and wealth play a major role. For example, if the judge sees you have a stable job and have dependents, you should have fewer reasons to miss court, and you should be able to make bail.
Danger to the Public
A judge has to look at criminal records and history for another major reason: determining whether or not the defendant poses a risk to the public. This is because if there were victims of the committed crime, a judge has to know whether or not the defendant could compromise their safety after making bail.
Ties or Involvement in the Community
While this may seem like an odd consideration, involvement in the city or community can say a lot about a person. Usually, those who are involved with their community, organizations, and their families pose little risk due to a good reputation and background. Therefore, a judge will issue a lower bail.
Police Practices
El Paso police tend to arrest suspects for the most serious criminal charges that the facts of the crime can support. For example, while possession of marijuana could be charged as a misdemeanor in most states, police could charge a felony if the suspect possessed marijuana with the intent to sell. Although these kinds of charges are most often reduced to a misdemeanor after investigation, it may call for a higher bail bond. This is where Freedom Bail Bonds can help.
Bail Schedules
In many cities, defendants can post bail with the police before they are even brought into a court hearing or an arraignment. This is because many jails have specified amounts for certain crimes. So, if a defendant is brought in for a crime that is posted on the jail’s bail schedule, they will be able to make bail before attending a hearing, if possible, all through a bail bond.
Work with the Fast and Knowledgable Services at Freedom Bail Bonds
Here at Freedom Bail Bonds, you can trust that our services will help you navigate the legal system in no time. Learn more about how our services can help you with bail and felony bonds. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 today.