Posting Bail in PA: Your Steps
A bail is a fund that is set up to help someone who has been accused of committing a crime. This fund can be used to pay for legal fees, as well as other costs that may arise during the criminal proceedings. The amount of the bail will vary depending on the severity of the charges and whether or not the individual poses a flight risk. This is how you go about posting bail.
Pennsylvania bail may also be set to ensure that the accused person appears in court for future hearings. Some people are not eligible for bail, such as persons who have been charged with violent crimes or repeat offenders.
All About Bail
Posting bail is the process of providing money or other collateral to secure the release of a person who has been arrested. The purpose of bail is to ensure that the person appears in court when required and does not flee the jurisdiction. Bail may be set by a judge at an arraignment hearing, or it may be set by a bail bond company through a bail bond agent.
In the latter case, the person must provide some type of collateral, typically property or cash, which will be forfeited to the court if he fails to appear as required. Typically, more serious charges require higher amounts of bail payment and/or more stringent conditions for release (such as reporting regularly to a probation officer). Bail is not intended to be and is not a punishment; the purpose of bail is simply to ensure that the person accused of a crime will return for his or her day in court.
If you are accused of a crime and are unable to post bail, you may remain in jail until your case goes to trial. In some cases, the judge may order that you are to be held without bail.
Posting Bail in PA
- The first step in posting bail in PA is to contact a bail bond agent and provide them with the necessary information about the defendant, such as their name, date of birth, and court case number.
- Once you have provided this information to the bail bond agent, they will typically request an initial payment or down payment, which is typically 10% of the total bail amount.
- The bail bond agent will then post the bail on your behalf, and the defendant will be released from custody.
- After the defendant has been released, it is important to ensure that they appear for their court date. If they fail to do so, you may be responsible for the full bail amount.
If you have any questions or concerns about bail or the bail bond process, be sure to speak with your Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney immediately. They can help guide you through the process and answer any questions that you may have.
How an attorney can help
A PA criminal defense attorney can help with the bail process in several ways.
- They can negotiate with the court or prosecutor to have the bail amount lowered, which may make it more affordable for the defendant.
- They can also help ensure that the conditions of bail are fair and reasonable, and that the defendant will be able to comply with them.
- Criminal defense attorneys can also help monitor the defendant’s compliance with the conditions of bail, and guide what to do if there are any problems.
- They can also work out a payment plan with the court so that the bail is not paid all at once.
- Additionally, a criminal defense attorney PA can help ensure that the defendant understands their rights and responsibilities during the bail process and can provide guidance on what to expect.
- Lastly, criminal defense associates can attend bail hearings on the defendant’s behalf and advocate for their release.
If you are facing criminal charges and need assistance with the bail process, be sure to contact an experienced attorney right away.
If you are facing criminal charges and need assistance with the bail process, be sure to contact Engle Kauffman and VanHorn Criminal Law State College PA today. With years of experience in criminal defense, they can help you navigate the bail process and work towards securing your release. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, visit them online or call to speak with a knowledgeable representative today.