in missouri if you are arrested and then post bond but you can't afford a lawyer what happens

by Priscilla Gislason 10 min read

Once you’ve been arrested, you’ll see the judge who will set your bond that will get you out of jail until your court date. If you can’t afford the amount of bail required by the court, you have the option of turning over real property valued at the amount as collateral.

Full Answer

What does it mean to post bond after being arrested?

Therefore, often times, after a person has been arrested, he or she posts bond so that they may be released from jail while waiting for the criminal charge to be filed against them and the case to be resolved.

What should I do if I Can’t afford bail or post bond?

If you are being held in jail because you cannot afford to make bail or post bond, you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately.

Can a duty judge set a bond without a defendant's ability to pay?

Judge Fleissig cited evidence in a random sample of 222 cases in St. Louis Circuit Court, the duty judge set a bond 98 percent of the time, without any information about the defendant’s ability to pay. In her opinion, Fleissig wrote: “These practices do no comport with applicable Supreme Court and Circuit precedent.”

What happens if you get arrested while out on bail?

It’s helpful to think of the bond as a gift when we look at the question of what might happen to you if you face arrest for a new offense while you’re out on bail. Remember that when you received a bond, it allowed you to live at home while your criminal case was underway.

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How does bond work in Missouri?

Missouri Bail Bond Laws They must appear in court as required (i.e., hearings, trial, etc.) They must submit to the “orders, judgment, sentence, and court process. They must not break any other laws, tamper with the victims, or contact witnesses while out on release.

How long can you be held in jail without seeing a judge?

As a general rule: If you're placed in custody, your "speedy trial" rights typically require the prosecutor to decide charges within 72 hours. Many states adhere to this 72-hour limit. Sometimes, no charges are filed, and you will be released.

How do I get around a cash-only bond?

If a defendant needs to post a cash-only bond, there are a few ways to get this done. A family member can post it, the defendant can post it, or a third party can post it. There are some bail bond agencies that work with cash-only bonds. In some cases, it is preferred to work with a bail bond agency.

What's the difference between bail and bond?

Bail is the money a defendant must pay in order to get out of jail. A bond is posted on a defendant's behalf, usually by a bail bond company, to secure his or her release. Defendants with pending warrants are usually not eligible for bail.

How long can you be in police custody?

Generally, the standard time the police can hold you for is 24 hours until they will need to charge you with a criminal offence or release you. In exceptional circumstances, they can apply to hold you for longer, up to 36 or 96 hours. This is usually if you are suspected of more serious crimes such a murder.

How long can police detain you without charge?

If you're arrested without a warrant, you can only be detained for: 12 hours, for light offenses, which are punishable by light penalties. 18 hours, for less grave offenses, punishable by correctional penalties. 36 hours, for grave offenses, punishable by capital penalties.

Does bond have to be paid in cash?

For cash-only bonds, the defendant will only be released from custody after the full amount is paid. You can typically pay with actual cash or using a secure payment type, such as a debit or credit card. Most jurisdictions will only accept payment of the exact amount, and if you pay in cash, change will not be issued.

What can a bail bondsman do legally?

Not only may they bring them to the proper authorities, but they have the right to pursue the fugitive into any dwelling to make the arrest. Because they are not government agents, they are not required to seek out a warrant and may detain the defendant for as long as is necessary to get them to the authorities.

What is the purpose of cash bond?

A cash bond is a cash amount paid to the judicial system to bail someone out of jail. If the person does not show up for court when required, the system may keep the cash. The benefit of a cash bond is that it is a direct, generally fast way of bailing someone out.

What does post bond mean?

A person may post a cash bond - This means that a person places a certain amount of cash with the city to guarantee that he/she will appear at the next court setting. If a person does not appear at the next setting after posting a cash bond, the bond may be forfeited.

What happens after bail is granted?

What is bail? If a defendant is granted bail it means they are allowed back into the public while they await trial or further police investigations, instead of being remanded in custody (ie, locked up). A person can be released on bail at any point from the moment they have been arrested.

Does bail get refunded?

Bail works similarly - the judge provides you with the freedom to go home, but they hold onto your bail money until you go through with the court process. So yes, you do get your bail money back.

What is the Missouri bail bond law?

Missouri’s bail bond law is contained in a combination of constitutional, statutory, procedural rules and case law. The bail bond law in the State of Missouri has developed over a very long period of time and the application of the various provisions can sometimes be contradictory or confusing.

How much of a bail bond can a defendant post?

Under this provision, a defendant can post funds equal to 10% of the bail bond amount with the court as an alternative to traditional commercial bonding. Assuming the conditions of the bond are met, the deposit is returnable at the conclusion of court proceedings.

What is the purpose of 10% bail in Missouri?

addresses the circumstances under which a person charged with a crime may be released with a bail bond and is primarily concerned with assuring that the released person will appear at times designated by the Missouri court. Read alone, one might erroneously conclude that the only purpose of the bail bond is to assure the appearance of the defendant at trial.

What is the difference between bail and bond?

The distinction between the two terms depends upon who the money is posted by and what is used as payment. In the United States, most bails and bonds are offered in the form of cash bail or bail bond.

How did bail bonding change the game?

This provision changed the game for defendants and bail bonds in that the safety of the victim and community became a consideration for courts setting bail. Perhaps more realistically, it legitimized the otherwise illegitimate practice in Missouri of setting a high bail bond in criminal cases where aggravating circumstances existed but no threat of flight was present.

Why was the $75,000.00 bond denied?

Because a claim of the excessive bond was not raised by Jackson the court did not address whether or not Jackson’s $75,000.00 was excessive. However, it did suggest that while bond cannot be used solely to keep a defendant in jail pending trial, it is possible to deny bond altogether “if the State shows that the defendant poses a danger to the victim or public.”

What was the Supreme Court ruling in State v Jackson?

Jackson, 384 S.W.3d 208 (Mo. Banc 2012). State v. Jackson considered whether the setting of a cash-only bond violated the provision in Article I, section 20.

When did the Missouri bond rules take effect?

Missouri’s New Rules for Setting Bond Take Effect. Missouri’s new rules on setting bond for criminal defendant’s went into effect on July 1– and some last minute tweaks by the Missouri Supreme Court might avoid some logistical problems that could have arisen.

Why did Jackson County change the bond rules?

Byrn suggested that the new rules were prompted by a nationwide movement against the practice of holding defendants before trial only because they cannot afford to post a bond.

What are the new bond rules?

Under the new bond rules, a defendants ability to pay, his or her family situation, and the danger posed to the public by release are now crucial points for judges to consider. These new rules also apply to probation violations. Under the old rules, these arrestees needed to have a hearing within 96-hours of re-arrest;

What is the purpose of a condition of release in a bond setting?

In that bond setting, a judge must first consider imposing conditions of release that are non-monetary and as unrestrictive as possible in order to secure the defendant’s appearance at trial or protect the community or victim.

How long does it take to get a bond review hearing?

Right to Bond-Review Hearing Within 7 Days. If, however, the judges do order further detention, they must be able to show clear and convincing evidence it is necessary — and in that case, the defendant will have a right to a bond-review hearing within seven days.

How long do judges have to set bond?

The most prominent aspect of the new bond regime is that, in general, once a suspect is arrested and confined, judges have an explicit 48-hour deadline to set bond at an initial appearance, whether in-person or on video.

Will bond hearings clog courtrooms?

Some critics have voiced concerns that these new bond rules will clog the courtrooms. However, some jurisdictions have already prepared for implementing the new rules. In the city of St. Louis, Presiding Judge Rex Burlison said that his court is setting up a standalone courtroom outfitted with a closed-circuit video system between it and the county jail to hold the mandated initial appearances within 48-hours. Judge Burlison said that this change will prevent the bond hearings from clogging up the courtrooms.

What to do if you are arrested after posting bail?

If you or someone you know has been arrested after posting bail, it is important to seek professional help immediately. There are laws and proper procedures that must be followed as well as exceptions based on the type of crime committed. The accused person’s criminal history can also be a critical factor in the judge’s decision. Only a qualified bail bondsman or experienced attorney can help you navigate this complicated legal process successfully, however, the bonds agent may resolve the issue quicker.

What happens if you get arrested while you are still pending?

Getting arrested while a previous case is still pending may directly affect any settlement negotiations or positive progress your attorney may have made with the prosecutor regarding your original charges. When a person is arrested again while out of bail, the prosecutor can decide to take any plea deals off the table and restart negotiations, requesting the stiffest punishment.

What is bail bond?

Bail Bond Basics. As part of your original bail agreement, a promise was made to return for your scheduled court date. Another term for bail releases is to not get arrested again. The original bond that was issued for only pertains to your previous charges and has nothing to do with your current arrest. This means that if you are arrested ...

What happens if you get re-arrested?

Consequences of a Second Arrest. Being re-arrested while on bail can cause serious complications for both the previous case and the new case. The new charges will require the defendant to attend additional court hearings and depending on the crime (s) committed, judges will take them into consideration. More than likely you will need your bail bond ...

Can a bail bondsman help you navigate the court process?

The accused person’s criminal history can also be a critical factor in the judge’s decision. Only a qualified bail bondsman or experienced attorney can help you navigate this complicated legal process successfully, however, the bonds agent may resolve the issue quicker.

Can you report a new arrest to bail?

Since arrests and their related bond postings are independent of each other, it's possible that your new arrest won't be reported to your bail bond company. You should contact them directly to inform them of the arrest and have them handle the bail process on your behalf. It is important to understand this release is separate from the first, ...

Can a bail bond help you after a second arrest?

Bail Bondsman Can Help You After A Second Arrest. It’s best to work with the same bail bondsman who got you released from jail the first time. They can quickly process the new bail release. If you haven’t been arrested, but you know new charges are pending and an arrest warrant will be issued soon, a bail bondsman can help navigate you through ...

Why do people post bond after arrest?

Therefore, often times, after a person has been arrested, he or she posts bond so that they may be released from jail while waiting for the criminal charge to be filed against them and the case to be resolved.

What to do if you can't afford bail?

If you are being held in jail because you cannot afford to make bail or post bond, you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately . Even if the above-referenced time periods have not yet expired, an experienced criminal defense lawyer can often times convince the Court to lower your bond to an amount that is reasonable and affordable for you. Additionally, if the above-referenced time periods have already expired, upon a proper motion, the Court must either lower your bond to an amount that you can afford or simply release you on your word that you will appear in Court once the District Attorney becomes ready for trial. So, if you or a loved one is currently being detained in jail while awaiting trial, I invite you to contact me at (972) 372-4054 with any questions or concerns that you may have.

What happens if you are found incompetent to stand trial?

In addition, if you are found to be incompetent to stand trial, the above-referenced time periods do not apply to you while you are considered to be incompetent. Finally, if you are being held for a violation of a previous bond condition that was related to the safety of a victim of the alleged offense or to the safety of the community, ...

How long does a person have to be in jail for a felony?

90 days from the time of arrest if he or she is accused of a Felony;

Can you be released from jail in Collin County?

Can You be Released from Jail because of a Delay in the Prosecution of your Case in Collin County, Texas. Fortunately, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure provides that a defendant who is detained in jail pending trial for a criminal charge that has been filed against him or her must be released either on a personal bond or by reducing ...

Can you lower your bond if you have already been in court?

Additionally, if the above-referenced time periods have already expired, upon a proper motion, the Court must either lower your bond to an amount that you can afford or simply release you on your word that you will appear in Court once the District Attorney becomes ready for trial.

Intake

Intake After being arrested, your case is sent to the District Attorney's office in the county in which the offense is alleged to have occurred. If you are arrested for a misdemeanor offense, your case will be delivered to a prosecutor who will choose to file the case by Complaint and Information.

Court Settings

Court Settings Once you have an attorney, they will meet with the prosecuting attorney and review their case file to inspect any evidence the state may have against you. Depending on the case, you may be required to attend multiple court settings before your case is resolved.

To Plea or Not to Plea

To Plea or Not to Plea You must be patient with the criminal justice process. There are thousands of cases in the system and it takes time. The earlier you hire an attorney, the less painful the process will be. The vast majority of cases are resolved by a plea bargain.

Post-conviction, dismissal, or acquittal

Post-conviction, dismissal, or acquittal If you are found guilty of the offense by a jury, you have a right to appeal the case to the Court of Appeals. If you pled guilty to the charge, you only have a limited right to appeal, and must obtain permission to appeal from the trial court judge before doing so.

What happens if you are rearrested while on bail?

One of the most significant problems that you’ll face when rearrested while out on bail is that you’re breaking the promise that you made to the court that you would operate as a law-abiding citizen during your criminal case.

Can you get arrested while on bail?

Make no mistake about it; getting arrested while you’re out on bail is never a happy event, and you’ll likely face the consequences. Some of the upsetting things that might happen include. It’s possible that you might not be allowed out of jail on bail if you commit a new crime.

Do you have to post bail bonds for both cases?

Along with the fact that you’ll probably need to post bond for both cases, the court might increase the amount of money that you must pay for the bonds. So, you could face the difficult situation of (1) losing the original fee for the bail bondsman, (2) paying two new bail bond premiums to your bail bonds company, and (3) higher bail bonds amounts.

Is it a conditional gift to post bond?

However, make no mistake about it; the ability to post bond is a conditional gift that depends on your promise that you’ll attend all of the court hearings in your case as well as abide by all of the rules that the court places on your release from jail. Typical conditions of bail include. Follow all laws.

Can you get out of jail on bail?

It’s possible that you might not be allowed out of jail on bail if you commit a new crime. If so, prepare to adjust to life behind bars until the criminal cases conclude. Even if you can get out of jail, keep in mind that you’ll need to post bond for both criminal cases to get out of jail if your original bail ended when ...

What to do if you end up calling a bail bond agent?

Call today to see what we can do for you. If you do end up calling a bail bond agent they will usually meet up with you at the jail bringing all the paperwork necessary to get you out; you'll be able to sign the papers and the bail bondsman will worry about everything else and get you home to your family. You will still have to pay ...

How to contact Sportsman Bail Bonds?

We do our best to get you results fast. You can call us at 801-623-6877 or contact us online.

What to do if you are stuck in jail?

If you are stuck in jail and don't have a way to pay off your bail, it might be wise to start looking for help, besides you don't know how long you will be stuck awaiting your trial. Some of the people you can ask for some extra cash to pay off your bail is family, close relatives, and friends.

How long can you be in jail if you don't pay bail?

However, if you do not pay your bail money, you can expect to be in jail until the end of your hearing has been completed, which can be weeks to months or even years. Some bail amounts can be as high as a thousand dollars or more in some cases.

How long can you stay in jail if you can't afford bail?

How long do I have to stay in jail if I can't afford bail? Depending on the reason you were placed in jail and the amount of bail you have on your record, you can be stuck in jail for anywhere between a week to years.

How long does it take to get a trial completed?

With that being said, trials are going on every day all around the world, and it's hard to get your trial completed within a week. You will usually be stuck in jail until the end of your hearing if you are unable to post bail.

Do bail bonds pay the court?

A bail bond agent will have you pay only a fraction of the cost for a bond, and they will pay the rest to the court. The only thing is you won't be getting the money back after you've shown up to court for your trial. Instead, the bail bond company will use the fraction as part of your payment for using them.

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