Everything You Need to Know About Bail Bonds

When law enforcement officers arrest you and take you to jail, you may or may not have to remain in custody until your trial on the alleged charges. In most situations, a judge will allow you to be released before your trial if you pay a certain amount of bail.

Bail Hearing

Depending on the seriousness of the crime(s) with which you are charged, plus additional factors, you may be able to call a bail bondsman from the jail and (s)he will come and post your bail. For instance, if you need bail bonds near me Allentown PA, even in the middle of the night or on weekends, you can likely find a bail bond company that is open 24/7 and will send a representative to get you out of jail.

In other cases, particularly if you are charged with a serious crime, the court will hold a bail hearing where the judge determines if (s)he will allow you to post bail and, if so, the amount thereof. (S)he will take such things as the following into consideration:

  • The seriousness of the alleged crime(s) you committed
  • Whether or not you have a prior criminal and/or court record
  • How much of a flight risk you pose
  • Whether or not your release poses a threat to public safety
  • Whether or not you have strong community connections
  • Whether or not you have family obligations
  • The amount of your income and/or assets

Typical Misdemeanor Bail Amounts

Here are some typical bail amounts required for various misdemeanors:

  • Public indecency or drunkenness – $500
  • DUI/DWI (first offense) – $2,500
  • Illegal possession of a controlled substance – $10,000
  • Temporary restraining order or order of protection violation – $15,000

Typical Felony Bail Amounts

Here are some typical bail amounts required for various felonies:

  • Assault with a deadly weapon – $25,000
  • Involuntary manslaughter – $25,000
  • Burglary – $50,000
  • Voluntary manslaughter – $100,000
  • Kidnapping – $100,000
  • Robbery – $100,000

Bail Types

Bail comes in the following five types:

  1. Own/personal recognizance – You verbally promise to appear at all your future court hearings but pay no money
  2. Signature bond – You sign an agreement that you will appear at all your future court hearings but pay no money
  3. Cash bond – You or your bail bondsman pays the entire amount of your bail.
  4. Secured/property bond – You pledge some of your property or assets to secure your promise/agreement to appear at all your future court hearings.
  5. Bail/Surety bond – Your bail bondsman pays your bail and pledges that you appear at all your future court hearings.

When you use a bail bondsman to get out of jail, you generally pay him or her 10% of the total bail amount as his or her fee.

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