Someone charged with a criminal offense must go to court to answer for the crime and resolve the matter. If the defendant is being held in pretrial detention, it’s easy for the court to locate them and compel their appearance at required proceedings. However, if the individual has been allowed pretrial release, the court can’t guarantee that they will show up for future hearings.
To assure the defendant’s appearance in court and the community's safety, a judge may impose bail conditions upon their release from jail. Under the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, defendants cannot be subject to excessive bail. The least restrictive conditions standards protect this right by prohibiting courts from subjecting defendants to restrictions meant to serve as punishments.
At Andy Callif Bail Bonds, we assist with the bail bonds process in Columbus. Please contact us at (614) 945-4334 today.
Understanding the Least Restrictive Conditions of Bail
The Eighth Amendment provides that “excessive bail shall not be required…” However, it does not specifically state what is considered “excessive.” Over the years, “excessive” has been defined as that which goes beyond assuring the defendant’s appearance in court and protecting the public and serves merely to punish the defendant.
The least restrictive conditions standard for bail prevents defendants from excessive bail. It requires that courts place reasonable financial and non-financial conditions upon defendants. “Reasonable” means that they do not subject the individuals to undue hardships.
In addition, least restrictive conditions also protect defendants from suffering unjust restrictions while awaiting trial. When someone is accused of a crime, they are not automatically guilty. In fact, the law considers them innocent until or unless found otherwise.
Financial and non-financial conditions of bail limit a person’s liberties. For instance, if a person is subject to a travel restriction, they cannot leave the state or country without authorization or at all. Or, if the judge imposes an extremely high and unreasonable bail amount, the defendant might not be able to afford it. Thus, they are held in pretrial release for the duration of their case.
If a person is considered innocent, they should not be unjustly limited in what they can do. Of course, the court must ensure that the defendant shows up for hearings and doesn’t harm the alleged victim, witnesses, or anyone else in the community. Therefore, it’s understandable that some conditions are necessary, but they should be tailored for the specific situation.
Ohio’s Rules on Least Restrictive Conditions
The Ohio Supreme Court has established rules on pretrial release and the conditions courts can impose upon defendants. Consistent with the standards, courts shall release defendants on the least restrictive conditions.
The conditions of release should be set at a level that assures that:
- The defendant will appear in court,
- Members of the community will be safe, and
- The defendant will not obstruct justice.
The courts may render financial and/or non-financial conditions of release. Financial conditions are generally what’s thought of when a defendant is afforded bail. Essentially, they are the funds the defendant must pay to get out of jail while awaiting trial.
The financial conditions of bail are related to:
- The likelihood the defendant will appear in court,
- The severity of the crime, and
- The defendant’s criminal history.
When imposing a financial condition of bail, courts cannot order an amount that places an undue economic burden on the defendant. It should only be such that it incentivizes the defendant to appear at hearings.
Non-financial conditions of bail can include things such as:
- Personal recognizance
- Supervision by an authorized agency
- Travel and residence restrictions
- House arrest, electronic monitoring, or work release
- Regulated contact with the alleged victim or witnesses
- Drug or alcohol assessment
- Diversion programs
Determining the Least Restrictive Conditions
The least restrictive conditions of bail should be decided on a case-by-case basis. Tailoring the decision to each defendant’s specific circumstances helps ensure that restrictions are placed only when necessary.
Factors judges might consider when deciding on conditions of bail include:
- The nature and circumstances of the offense
- The weight of the evidence against the accused
- The defendant’s
- Family ties
- Employment
- Financial situation
- Character
- Length of residence in the community
- Past conviction
- History of attending or fleeing from court appearances
- Whether the defendant is under probation, community control, parole, or a protection order
(Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure 46(C))
Contact Andy Callif Bail Bonds
Although courts must impose the least restrictive conditions of bail, when financial conditions are ordered, the amounts can be high. Posting bail can be difficult for some individuals and their families, especially since an arrest is unexpected.
Our team aims to help people get out of jail while awaiting trial. That is why we offer reliable services in Columbus.
For assistance, please call us at (614) 945-4334 or submit an online contact form today.