The amount of money an arrested person must pay to be released from jail is usually set by a judge. Have you ever wondered how the judge comes up with the amount? Here are five of the many factors that judges often use to determine a defendant’s bail.
The Crime
Whether is it a white-collar crime, a burglary, or a barroom brawl, the chances are the bail amount will vary greatly based on the type of offense the defendant allegedly committed. The more serious the allegation, the higher the bail will often be, and sometimes defendants need to turn to offices such as Delaware County bail bonds for help securing bail.
The Community
The defendant’s standing in the community and his or her flight risk is also considered when setting a bail amount. If there is a high probability the defendant will flee the area or commit another crime, the bail amount can be extremely high, or bail may be denied altogether.
The Family
Individuals with a long history in the area and a strong relative base are often awarded a lenient bail because of the solid relationship ties and family backing. With family support, the individual may even get out of jail on their own recognizance.
The Job
If the defendant has been working at a job or has held a position in a local business for many years, bail can be almost negligible. Most of the time, this type of defendant is not a bail risk.
The History
The defendant’s criminal history is probably one of the biggest factors used in establishing bail. Those individuals with a long history of crime can expect a higher bail amount than those new to crime.
These are just five of the many factors a judge can use to establish a defendant’s bail. Each defendant and his or her crimes are different from another’s misconducts, but the bail amount is anything by arbitrary.
