Judges typically set bail – the amount a defendant must pay to be released from custody pending trial – during the first court appearance following an arrest. So what factors go into setting bail?
A judge typically has a few options in setting bail: He or she can stick to the standard bail amount, raise or lower the standard bail, deny bail altogether, waive bail and grant release on the defendant’s “own recognizance,” and/or set special conditions for release.
Every case is different, but in general, here are seven factors that a judge will often consider in setting bail:
Because setting bail relies heavily on the circumstances of a particular case, you’ll want to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area to evaluate the factors as applied to your particular situation.
Related Resources:
- Posting Bail (FindLaw)
- George Zimmerman’s Bail Set at $1M (FindLaw’s Blotter)
- Judge Sets $1 Million Bail for Facebook Death Threats (FindLaw’s Blotter)
- Tulsa Shooting Suspects Held on $9M Bail Each (FindLaw’s Blotter)
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