Across the entire United States, the country’s judicial system allows suspects to be released under bail. Usually following the payment of a sum of money, the so-called bail bond, the person who’s been arrested is temporarily let go. If they make an appearance at their trial, the cash they deposited upfront might be refunded to them; otherwise they automatically forfeit any claim to the money.
Ultimately, it is the judge in charge of the trial who will decide whether to allow for bail on a case by case basis. This is not their only power, though. In the next few lines, we’ll see how exactly a bail bond comes together!
What Will Influence The Cost of A Bail Bond?
From the average sums requested for minor crimes to the huge amounts of money raked up by law-breaking celebrities, bail bonds have carved themselves a niche in these years’ daily news. This leaves many wondering whether the system’s fair and how exactly those numbers are calculated. Among the other things, a judge will always consider:
- How serious the crime committed by the defendant is.
Exactly like prison time and other forms of punishment, bail bonds in the United States are calculated according to the seriousness of the crime. The more serious the infraction, the harsher the penalty. Many states also refer to pre-made bail schedules; lists with the suggested amount for each felony. - The suspect’s previous criminal record.
The US judicial system’s main aim is that of preventing criminals from breaking the law again. At the same time, bail bonds were designed to keep dangerous individuals away from the community. Someone with a criminal record – i.e. a repeated offender – will be asked to commit more money than a first-time perpetrator in order to secure their own release. - A person’s chances they will actually show up in court.
Bail bonds were also put in place as a deterrent to prevent criminals from escaping their trial. People who are more likely to flee the country – thus avoiding having to come to terms with justice – will be forced to pay more money if they want to be released before their verdict has been decided. - The US Constitution’s Excessive Bail Clause.
In a further effort to prevent unfair bail bonds and to make the service available to everyone, the United States Constitution was amended to include the “Excessive Bail Clause”. This section specifies that excessive bail shall not be required, preparing the ground for a fairer calculation of the fees and values. What constitutes excessive is not described, though, ultimately giving the judge the right to decide on their own accord.
Are you looking for more information on bail bonds? Need a discrete, effective, and convenient bail bondsperson to help you out in Harris County – Texas? We can help!
Contact A Mobile Bail Bonds today and enjoy our free consultation service!
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