Is It Harder To Receive Bail For Certain Offenses?

Is It Harder To Receive Bail For Certain Offenses?

Being taken into custody accused of committing a crime is not a pleasant or welcome experience. When it does happen, most accused offenders will take part in a court proceeding within a few days of their arrest. At that court hearing, usually, a bail is set - but not in all scenarios.

What is Bail?

Bail (also referred to as a bail bond) is the set of restrictions and conditions in which an accused offender must follow so they can stay out of jail plus a contribution - worth a monetary value - that shows the accused offender accepts the set of rules. The contribution is usually property or money that can be paid through a person’s own finances or a bail bondsman like Andy Callif. Usually, only 10% of the monetary value is needed to be presented to the court (for example: for a $5,000 bond a person would normally need to pay $500). If the bail is paid, an accused offender would be let out of jail, with restrictions, and expected to attend all future court proceedings. Failure to do so would revoke a person’s bond and that person would be put back in jail.

Why Bail is Important for Accused Offenders

Being out on bail makes it easier for accused offenders to prepare their defense with their attorneys. For a majority of lesser offense cases, bail will be set at an affordable cost. However, for cases involving several felonies or dangerous crimes, bail could be high or even denied.

What Type of Offenses Usually Have Bail?

Most misdemeanor offenses will have a bail connected to them. A misdemeanor offense is an offense that usually has a jail sentence of less than one year. Examples of misdemeanor offenses recognized by the state of Ohio include:

  • DUI (driving under the influence)

  • DUS (driving under suspension)

  • Theft of property under $500

  • Shoplifting

  • Vandalism

  • Negligent assault

  • Traffic violations (although a majority are considered minor misdemeanors and do not require jail time or bail).

A felony offense is much more serious than a misdemeanor. In Ohio, there are six classifications of felonies:

  • Fifth-degree felony — for example, breaking and entering

  • Fourth-degree felony — for example, grand theft auto

  • Third-degree felony — for example, certain drug offenses

  • Second-degree felony — for example, abduction

  • First-degree felony — for example, kidnapping, rape, and murder

  • Unclassified felony — for example, aggravated murder

Depending on the type of offense, and how many charges are filed, usually determines the amount of bail for an accused offender. The more serious of offense will mean a higher bail. Also when determining bail, a judge will consider whether the accused offender is a flight risk or public safety risk. This is why in some cases an accused offender is not given bail.

How Much Will Bail Be?

Every court case and judge are different, that’s why there is not a predetermined cost when it comes to setting bail. When it comes to misdemeanor offenses, bail could be a couple of thousand dollars, while felony charges can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.

At Andy Callif Bail Bonds, no matter the case, we always consider how we can help with bail. We specialize in common cases like driving without a license, illegal drug possession, domestic violence, and felony cases. We also have experience in white-collar crimes such as real estate and insurance fraud. Our reliable team doesn’t shy away from situations that carry large bond amounts. We work with lawyers to make the outcome the best for you during a tough time. Contact our office today for your free consultation.

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