If you are arrested on drug charges and can't afford bail, you will be held in jail until the court hears your case. This process could take many months depending on the charges against you and the court. If you are unable to afford bail, you may be kept in jail until you appear before the court. Additional to the harsh sentence, you could also face a $1000 fine per day.
Cash bail cannot be granted if the accused is absent from court.
A judge will determine the amount of cash bail. This amount is usually tied to a bail schedule that recommends certain amounts for specific crimes. Judges may adjust the bail amount to meet their needs. Judges may order a person to be held without bail for certain crimes or circumstances. These cases are called preventative detention. Preventative detention is reserved for serious crimes.
The judge takes into account the risks of flight and to the community, or specific individuals. He or she will also consider the defendant's prior criminal history, whether he or she has a history of missing court dates, and other factors. If the judge feels that the accused is a flight risk, he or she will most likely set a high bail amount. If the judge decides the accused is not a flight hazard, he/she most likely will grant a bond that doesn't need any money.
Bail bonds are legal agreements between the accused (or the bondsman) and the bondsman.
Bail bonds are legally binding agreements that the court and accused make to release defendants on certain conditions. The bail conditions that allow the accused to be released are called "bail," and usually include a payment. The court will then usually return the payment to the person if the accused follows its orders. If the defendant fails or is not present in court, the judge might revoke his release and take the accused into custody.
In most cases, the court will place bail at a set amount. This usually is lower than what the total amount. Sometimes, a defendant may be eligible to receive a larger amount if the charges exceed the full amount. The bondman will set a bail amount for each accused. The defendant will then pay 10% to the bondsman. This payment is non-refundable and is usually secured with collateral.
If you are unable to afford bail, getting out of jail
If you are arrested and are unable to pay bail, there are several options available to you. The bail amount may be reduced to one that you can afford or set at a very low level by a judge. You must request a lower amount of bail in either case. The judge could also move the date of your trial up, meaning that you might need to wait several months or even weeks before hearing your case.
Many people are unable to pay bail even though they are presumed innocent under law. If you are convicted of minor infractions, your sentence could be extended to weeks, months, or even years. Even more severe is the financial strain for families who cannot afford bail. They are not only forced to pay high bail amounts, but could also lose their job and their home. Long-term incarceration can cause mental problems as well as financial hardship.
FAQ
What's the difference between a transactional and a litigation lawyer, you ask?
The main difference between an attorney specializing in transactional law and those specializing in litigation is the type of legal problems they are likely to encounter. Transactional lawyers are primarily concerned with contracts, commercial transactions, corporate formations, intellectual properties, and the like. Litigation lawyers focus on disputes involving corporations and partnerships, trusts estates, personal injury cases, insurance claims, and trusts.
These two types of attorneys require different skills and knowledge for each type case. If you are looking to hire a transactional lawyer, for example, he will need to be able to prepare agreements, negotiate terms, and handle conflicts. A litigation attorney needs to be familiarized with the rules for evidence, statutes, limitations, rules on discovery, etc.
You might also find other differences depending on where your client is located. For instance, a New York City attorney might not be as familiar with California laws as an attorney practicing in California. A Florida attorney may not be as familiar in Texas with Texas laws, than someone who practiced in Texas.
What is a Pro Bono Lawyer?
A pro bono attorney is someone who provides legal services free of charge to those who cannot afford them. Although they are lawyers who do this part of their work, many do it in their spare time. They can help elderly clients with estate planning questions or represent indigent defendants.
How can I get into a law school?
All year, law schools are open to applications. Many students decide to apply early rather than wait for late fall/early spring when the flood of applications arrives. For more information, please contact the admissions department of the law school that you prefer.
Statistics
- The median annual salary for lawyers in 2016 was $118,160, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (rasmussen.edu)
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for lawyers in 2020 was $126,930. (stfrancislaw.com)
- The states that saw the biggest increase in average salary over the last 5 years are Rhode Island (+26.6%), Wisconsin (+24.1), Massachusetts (23.2%), Wyoming (18.3%), and North Dakota (18.1%). (legal.io)
- A Johns Hopkins study of more than 100 professions found lawyers the most likely to have severe depression—four times more likely than the average person. (rasmussen.edu)
- According to a 2019 Robert Half Legal Consulting Solutions survey, 54% of law firms were planning to expand their legal teams. (stfrancislaw.com)
External Links
How To
What is the best way to get free legal assistance?
It is difficult to find a good pro bono lawyer because there are so many out there who would like your business. There are several ways you can go about finding a pro bono attorney. Ask around at your local bar association or search online for a list pro bono attorneys. You may also check with your state bar association. You can also find a probono attorney through your local law school. Many law schools offer opportunities for their students to assist low-income clients and provide access to justice. If none or all of these options appeal, you might be interested in contacting Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to learn more. LSC finances organizations in the United States that provide civil legal assistance free of charge to people below the poverty threshold. This organization funds programs that aid low-income persons with housing issues, child support enforcement and family law matters. LSC provides financial assistance as well as guidance and advice to grantees about how to best serve their clients. Some of the services offered include:
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Financial counseling
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Assistance with filing bankruptcy
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Helping families to resolve domestic violence issues
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Representation in front of administrative agencies
Here are some tips to help you find a pro bono lawyer if you are struggling to find one.
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You shouldn't waste your time looking for a specialist in your case. Pro bono attorneys often represent multiple types of clients. Therefore, they will not likely have much experience in working with your particular issue.
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Consider hiring a lawyer that has had experience representing clients with low income. This means that they are familiar with the communication needs of this client group.
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Ask if the lawyer has any special training in your area of concern. You should ensure that the lawyer you choose handles landlord/tenant disputes.
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Find out whether the lawyer is available to take on new clients. You won't find a lawyer who will only accept certain cases.
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Do not believe lawyers who claim to specialize within a specific area of law. Many lawyers claim they are specialists in a specific area of law but do not know enough about the subject matter.
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Check that the lawyer has a good reputation. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Find reviews online from clients.