While many people have heard the term “bail” as it applies to the legal system, not everybody understands exactly how it works.
It is important to answer the following questions:
- What is bail?
- What is its purpose?
- Why did the judge decide to set such a high bail after an arrest?
Let’s start out with the basics. After an individual is arrested and charged with a criminal offense, they have the right to have bail set in their case.
A judicial official setting bail will consider a number of things when determining the amount. These factors include:
- Whether or not the individual has a prior criminal history
- The severity of the offense
- Any history of failing to appear in court for criminal matters
- Whether the individual has close ties to the community
- Any recommendations made by the arresting officer or pre-trial services agents
For example, if an individual has multiple arrests on their record and has made it a habit to skip out on court appearances in the past, the chance of the judge setting a high bail is much more likely.
Sometimes, bail is set quite high as a precaution due to the nature of the offense. In other words, violent crimes, for instance, will be accompanied by a higher bail.
If you or a loved one has been arrested and have been faced with what would be considered an abnormally high bail, the best thing you can do is contact a qualified criminal defense attorney.
With the help of an attorney, you can discuss your options for having your bail reduced to an amount you can post.
Pennsylvania Bail Laws
The bail laws in Pennsylvania are not the same as every other state. For this reason, you need to become familiar with how the legal system works, more specifically when it comes to bail practices in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
In addition to contacting an experienced attorney for information, you can visit the following websites to learn more about the bail process in PA:
Don’t Delay in Contacting a PA Criminal Defense Lawyer
It does not matter if you need bail assistance for yourself or a loved one, fighting the court on your own is a losing proposition.
Bail can be confusing for those who don’t have any knowledge of state laws. For this reason, contacting a PA criminal defense lawyer is essential.
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