when your lawyer gives you bond

by Jess Dicki 4 min read

What Is An Attorney Bond? An attorney bond is like a surety bond where you will be released from jail before your trial. With this type of bond, you will pay your attorney a standard non-refundable fee which is usually 10% of your bond amount. This will be used by the attorney to secure your bail bond.

What happens if you don't pay off your bond?

If you don't pay the agreed-upon fee, the bond agent has every right to relinquish responsibility for you. That means they don't have to pay your bail. If bail isn't paid, you go to jail. If you were released before the bond payment occurs, you can go back to jail.Mar 25, 2021

Does bond have to be paid in cash?

In a cash-only bond, the defendant must pay the entire amount of bail in cash. This differs from a surety bond, in which a bail bond agency can handle the total bail amount after the defendant pays a certain amount (usually 10-15%) of the cost to the agency.

What is a bond hearing in South Carolina?

A bond hearing, sometimes referred to as a bail hearing, is usually the first thing that happens after a person is arrested in South Carolina. After the person is booked at the jail, then a bond judge will hear the case and determine whether to let the charged person out, and if so, under what conditions (making bail).

What is a bond hearing in Ohio?

About Your Bond Hearing in Columbus When you have been arrested and charged with a crime, there is often a bond hearing in which the bail amount is set by the judge. The bail amount is of serious concern, as if it is too high, you will not be able to get out of jail while awaiting your trial.

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.Oct 15, 2021

Why do you only have to pay 10 percent of bail?

When a surety bond is taken, a ten percent premium payment is due to the bail bonds agent or company. All defendants may be charged additional costs with posting bail like a $10 processing fee as well as a $12 booking fee.Dec 17, 2020

Do you get bond money back in SC?

11. When will I get my bond money back? Bonds are only released upon order by a judge, dismissal of the charge, or a finding of not guilty. The bond is returned only to the party posting it.

How does bail work in SC?

How does bail bonds work in South Carolina? A bond court judge sets the defendant's bail amount. A South Carolina bail bondsman posts the bond once the 10% premium is paid by the co-signor. If the defendant doesn't appear in court the co-signor owes the bondsman 100% of the bond.

Can you leave the state of SC on bond?

(A) An appearance recognizance or appearance bond must be conditioned on the person charged personally appearing before the court specified to answer the charge or indictment and to do and receive what is enjoined by the court, and not to leave the State, and be of good behavior toward all the citizens of the State, or ...

Does Ohio have bail bonds?

A bail bondsman in Ohio charges a 10% premium of the full bond amount. For example, a $10,000 bond will cost a $1,000 premium. Once the premium has been paid, the bondsman will post the full amount of the bond and the defendant will be released from jail.

Can a felon be a bail bondsman in Ohio?

PIs and PDs in Ohio must: Have no felony convictions within the past three years. Have at least two years of previous investigative work experience for a law enforcement agency, work for a private investigator, or have practiced law. Take the required exam.

What is bond probation?

Offenders on probation have been found guilty of an offence and have accepted the offer of the court to enter a bond. The bond is the agreement between the court and the offender.

Revoking Bail - Back to Jail

If a defendant "jumps bail" or fails to appear, bail will be revoked. At that point, the defendant has lost the right to be free before trial. The...

Bail Revocation Process in Federal Court

Both federal and state courts have procedures for revoking bail. In federal court, the Bail Reform Act of 1984 controls the process. If a defendant...

Bail Revocation Process in State Courts

State laws vary as to the bail revocation process. Nevertheless, all state laws allow for revocation of bail if a defendant violates a condition of...

Getting Bail Reinstated: "Remission"

Even after bond has been forfeited, it's still possible to have it set aside through "remission." A bail remission motion is a request to refund mo...

Questions For Your Attorney

1. If a defendant is on bail for a federal drug offense, gets charged with a state drug offense and has his federal bail revoked, can he get bail f...

What happens if you violate a bond?

If You Have Violated Bond. If you have violated bond terms and you are at the risk of a bond revocation. It’s highly important that you speak with a criminal defense attorney in Indianapolis, contact us at 317-721-4783 for help today.

What is a cash bond?

If a cash bond is set, for example a $500 cash bond, that means the entire $500 must be paid to the court clerk for the person to be released. The benefit of a cash bond is that once the case is resolved, the bond money can be used to cover court costs, if there are any, or the bond money can be released back to whomever paid it.

What happens if you skip bail?

If a defendant “skip bail” or fails to appear at their court hearing, then there is now a revoked bond and a bench warrant is immediately issued. To be honest, there are a number of reasons bond would be revoked in a bail bond revocation hearing. A defendant’s bail bond can actually be revoked for a number of reasons, including:

Why is bail revoked?

A defendant’s bail bond can actually be revoked for a number of reasons, including: Committing a crime while released, Violating any other condition of bond. Failure to appear at a court hearing. Failing to stay away from the crime victim. Fraud or misrepresentation.

How to get bail for domestic assault?

First, speak with your criminal attorney, then before the arrested person is released, they must first appear before the judge where the conditions of bond are set. The conditions of bail usually differ range depending on the nature of the crime. Generally speaking, for domestic assault cases, the judge will often set a condition where ...

Can you be released on your own recognizance?

For someone who is charged with a minor offense or does not have any criminal history, the judge may determine that they can be released on their own recognizance, or OR’d. This means they are released without having to pay a cash bond or surety bond and are simply given a new date to return to court.

When can a bond be forfeited?

Federal rules, as well as virtually all state laws, allow for bond forfeiture when a defendant fails to make a court appearance. Along with that, the federal courts and most states authorize bond forfeiture for a violation of a release condition.

What happens if a defendant violates bail?

This freedom comes with a lot of strings attached: If a defendant violates bail conditions, fails to show up in court, or gets arrested again, the judge can revoke the defendant's bail and put the defendant back in custody. After revocation comes forfeiture of the bail money or bond. So, the defendant loses his freedom and might possibly lose his ...

Why is bail revoked?

A defendant's bail can be revoked for other reasons, including: committing a crime while released, even in the absence of a conviction for that crime, and. violating any other condition of bail, such as failing to stay away from the crime victim.

What is the bail reform act?

In federal court, the Bail Reform Act of 1984 controls the process. If a defendant commits a crime while out on bail, there's a presumption that no conditions of release can keep the community safe. The defendant is given an opportunity to rebut or overcome the presumption, but he does not get a full-blown trial.

What is a forfeiture order?

In most states, procedures for bond forfeiture are set by law. An entry of a forfeiture order is usually mandatory. Forfeiture of a bond requires notice be sent to the defendant and the surety, most likely a bail bondsman.

Can you set aside a bond after it has been forfeited?

Even after bond has been forfeited, it's still possible to have it set aside through "remission.". A bail remission motion is a request to refund money that was forfeited. Generally, these motions must be filed within a certain time, such as one year, from the date of forfeiture.

What is a bond in court?

Bond, also called bail, is the amount of money that must be deposited with a court so that the defendant can be released from custody during a criminal prosecution. Generally, the way the defendant can request a lower bond and release from jail is by motion. A motion is a formal request directed to the judge requesting an order for one thing ...

What is a motion to reduce bond?

A motion is a formal request directed to the judge requesting an order for one thing or another. To get the bond amount reduced, the defendant would file a Motion to Reduce Bond (or a Motion to Reduce Bail).

Can you reduce a bond before you go to court?

A Motion to Reduce Bond can be filed at any time, even before you go to court. This type of motion can be filed in a felony case and a misdemeanor case. The process for filing a motion can vary drastically from court to court, but an astute and experienced defense lawyer will find a way to file the motion and give the client the best chance ...

What is a written motion?

A written motion must set forth the important facts for the judge to consider when deciding the motion. Additionally, the defense lawyer must include references to case law, statutes, or constitutional law that supports the motion.

What is a reduction bond?

In some courts, the judge may agree to a bond reduction if the defense and the prosecution agree. An agreement between lawyers is called a “stipulation.” A lawyer presents a deal for a bail reduction with a stipulated order spelling out the agreed-upon bond. A judge may accept the stipulation and sign the order, or he or she may require the prosecution and defense lawyer to appear in court and explain the reasons for modifying the bond.

What is the lowest bond?

The lowest type of bond is called a “ personal bond .”. A personal bond is little more than a written promise to appear. There is always a cash amount associated with the personal bond , like $5,000, but paying that amount is not required unless the defendant violates bond or fails to return to court for a scheduled hearing.

Can a lawyer reduce a bond?

A lawyer can file a motion to reduce an excessive bond. Judges sometimes set high cash bonds when a defendant is unrepresented or represented by ineffective counsel at arraignment. An experienced lawyer can step in and file a motion requesting a reduction in the bond.

What to do if your lawyer doubts you?

Tell the Truth. If your lawyer doubts you in the consultation, or doesn't think you have a case, while that may change over time, getting over an initial disbelief is very hard. You have to prove your case. Your attorney is not your witness. They are your advocate - but you are responsible for coming up with proof.

What happens if you don't pay your lawyer?

If you don't pay your lawyer on the day of trial, or however you have agreed to, then while he or she may be obligated by other ethical duties to do his/her best, they won't be motivated by sympathy for you, and it will show in court.

Why do people hire lawyers?

Most people hired attorneys because they don't want to sit in court. Well, truth be told, neither do I. The difference between lawyer and client is that the lawyer expects it to take a long time and understands. The client typically thinks it's unjustified. So, your hard truth is that each case takes time. Be patient.

Why is credibility important in court?

Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom. If you care enough only to wear sweats to the courthouse, then the judge will see that you don't care, and that will be reflected in their desire to help you, listen to you, and decide in your favor. Step it up.

Do juries get it right?

While juries usually get it right, sometimes, it's not about whether a particular matter is emotional or simple, complicated or straightforward. Sometimes people make decisions on who has the nicer suit, or who is more pleasant to deal with. So even if your case is good or even if it's not so strong.

Can a lawyer take your money?

While lawyers can certainly take your money and your time and we can file a case that will be very hard to win, if you don't care enough about your life to get a contract, the judge is not very likely to be on your side. At least, not automatically. Oral contracts are extremely hard to prove. What are the terms.

How much does bail bonding cost?

The advantage of posting bail yourself—with cash or property—is that you can get a complete refund at the end of your case. Bail bondsmen usually charge a 10% fee. So if your bail is $10,000, you’ll likely pay a $1,000 nonrefundable fee to the bondsman.

How to post bail?

Once bail is set, the next step is "posting" bail. Acceptable methods for posting bail vary by jurisdiction. But a person can generally post bail by: 1 paying the entire bail amount to the court 2 giving the court a security interest in real property, or 3 contracting with a bail bond company to post bail for you.

Why is bail important?

But the government also wants to make sure people who are charged with crimes come to court. The main purpose of bail is to ensure defendants don’t take off after getting out of jail.

Why do courts use algorithms to set bail?

The idea is to create a more even-handed approach by removing some of the subjectivity from bail decisions. Bail algorithms, which consider factors like age and criminal history, are supposed to assess the risk that the defendant will commit another crime or fail to appear in court.

Can a judge deny bail?

And in appropriate circumstances, a judge can deny bail altogether. To address bail, a judge will typically hold a “ bail hearing ” in court. Judges often look to the bail schedule as a starting point for setting bail. Judges are also supposed to look to the circumstance of the case before making the final call.

Can bail be revoked?

If the defendant goes to all the court dates and abides by the conditions of release, the court refunds the bail when the case is over. If, on the other hand, the defendant skips out on court dates, violates release conditions, or disappears altogether, bail can be revoked and forfeited.

What do you need to know before hiring a personal injury lawyer?

Before you hire an attorney, you’ll sign a contract that sets forth the lawyer’s fees. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they get paid a percentage of the damages you receive. However, they’re also going to charge you for additional expenses that come up while the case is in process.

Why is my lawyer not returning my calls?

Reason #1: Your lawyer isn’t returning your calls. Lack of communication is a big problem for some law firm clients. Yes, legal practices are very busy. They have lots of clients — not just you. However, before a lawyer signs on to take your case, they need to know if the firm has the capacity to handle it. There’s no excuse for not returning phone ...

How to terminate a contract?

Hire a new lawyer first, and then fire the old one. Write a termination letter. Any time you modify or terminate a contract, it must be in writing.

What is zealous representation?

Your lawyer has a duty to pursue your legal action with zealous representation. That’s legal-speak for the concept that the lawyer should do everything that’s reasonably feasible to advocate for, or represent, their client. Almost every law student is taught about zealous representation in law school, but some might forget or become less motivated as the years go by.

Can a lawyer lie?

Your lawyer is also bound by the laws in your state and their code of ethics. You can’t expect them to lie, nor can you expect them to cover up evidence (or fabricate evidence). Doing so would put them in a position that could jeopardize their career, license, and reputation.

Can you return a phone call?

There’s no excuse for not returning phone calls or emails within a reasonable amount of time. Be aware that your calls might be returned by an assistant or paralegal — you might not always be able to get your lawyer on the phone.

What is a lawsuit loan?

A lawsuit loan, also known as pre-settlement funding, is a cash advance given to a plaintiff in exchange for a portion of their settlement. Unlike a regular loan, a lawsuit loan doesn’t require a credit check or income verification. Instead, we examine applicants based on the strength of their case.

How long does it take for a settlement check to be delivered?

While many settlements finalize within six weeks, some settlements may take several months to resolve.

What is structured settlement?

Unlike a regular settlement that pays the settlement amount in full, a structured settlement is when a defendant pays the settlement amount over time. These types of settlements usually occur when the case involves a minor or if there was a catastrophic injury that requires extensive ongoing medical care.

How long does it take for a check to clear?

Once your lawyer receives the check, they usually hold it in a trust or escrow account until it clears. This process takes around 5-7 days for larger settlement checks. Once the check clears, your lawyer deducts their share to cover the cost of their legal services.

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