Can you travel while out on bail? Generally, you are not allowed to travel while out on bail, but the final answer depends on the terms of your pretrial release. Before making any travel plans, your best, safest option is to talk to your lawyer and a Columbus bail bonds agent to clarify your bail conditions.
If you make the decision to travel and violate those conditions, the next trip you take could be one that leads back to jail.
The Importance of Complying With Bail Conditions
Posting bail is a way to get out of jail as you await trial. Though bail secures your initial release, that release is conditional upon your compliance with the terms of that release. The judge considers the various factors when determining your bail conditions. These elements include:
- Your criminal record
- The nature of the crime
- Your financial situation
- Your connection to the community
There are rules to follow when released on bail, and complying with the terms of your bail is one of the most important. Failure to do so puts you out of favor with the court. It can also lead to bail revocation and a return to jail. If terms restrict your travel while out on bail, you need to honor them fully.
Call (614) 221-0100 today to speak with our experienced Ohio bail bondsman!
Travel Options While Out on Bail
The Ohio Code addresses bail amount. Amounts increase with the seriousness of an alleged offense. The Code also establishes rules for pretrial release, including the kinds of restrictions a judge can impose. The law instructs judges to implement the least restrictive conditions of bail.
Still, judges have discretion, and the law gives them the right to place “restrictions on the travel, association, or place of abode of the defendant during the period of release.” In some cases, a judge may forbid travel altogether, placing the defendant on house arrest. Travel could also be limited to going to work, doctors’ appointments, or other places of necessity.
You might be permitted to travel while out on bail as long as you stay within the State of Ohio. Of course, you must verify this allowance. Your Columbus bail bonds agent or your attorney can provide clarity. Typically, out-of-state travel requires special permission from the court.
Why a Judge May Put a No-Travel Condition on Your Bail Terms
You may face strict travel limitations if a judge thinks you may run away to avoid going to trial. It is possible a judge may determine you’re a flight risk if you do not have family in the area. Family commitments are a flight deterrent, and if you do not have any family to lose, there is less motivation to stay put. Lack of employment can also contribute to increased travel restrictions for the same reason.
A prior history of bail-condition violations also works against you. The judge has less reason to trust that you will not try to skip bail if your previous behavior showed contempt for the court’s rules. If you are wealthy and have the finances to flee the state or country, the judge may implement a no-travel rule.
Communication Is Key if You Need to Travel While Out on Bail
Sometimes, situations arise that require travel outside of what your bail terms allow. Perhaps there was a death in your family, and you want to attend the funeral, but are on house arrest or not allowed to travel to out-of-state services. In some cases, conditions of bail can be modified.
Any modifications must come with permission from the court. You cannot make them on your own. You must talk to your attorney and your bail bonds agent before going anywhere. This way, your attorney can file a motion with the court, and your bail bond agreement can remain intact.
If you have an emergency that requires travel, communication remains critical. You may need to rush a sick child to the hospital. Tell your attorney and bail bonds agent right away. Your attorney can work to defend your decision before the court.
Contact our bail bondsman today at (614) 221-0100 to get your bail bond now!
Consequences of Traveling Without Permission
The potential consequences of traveling while out on bail without prior authorization are extensive. In response to the violation, the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest. Once arrested, you will be taken back into custody to await a bail-revocation hearing.
You will get to tell your side of the story at the hearing, and the judge may decide to give you a second chance or impose additional conditions on your bail. However, if bail gets revoked, you will have to remain in jail until your trial. This loss of freedom limits your ability to contribute to your defense and is likely to decrease your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
There are also financial consequences. If you paid your own bail, you will not get that money back. If you posted bail through a Columbus bail bonds service, the agency will have to pay the court your full bail amount. Then, you will have to pay the agency back.
A Bail Bonds Agent Can Support Your Release and Your Case
When you are in jail, it is hard to focus on your defense. You are in survival mode, on heightened alert, and in an increased state of anxiety all the time. You may be drawn into fights that cause you physical harm and also diminish your standing with the court.
A bail bonds agent can help you get pretrial release and help you uphold the terms of that release. An important aspect of our job is to make sure you understand your bail conditions, including travel restrictions, and uphold them. We are in your corner and will do our part to help you make decisions that support a favorable case outcome.
Our bail bondsman is available 24/7. Call us at (614) 221-0100
We Can Help You Get Bail and Stay in Compliance
Andy Callif Bail Bonds is here to help get you out of jail quickly and stay in compliance with the terms of your release.
If you are not sure if you can travel while out on bail, we can get you answers. Do not risk violating the terms of your bail. The consequences are significant. Instead, connect with us for the guidance and support you need.
Our Ohio bail bondsman is available 24/7, call us (614) 221-0100!