New York Bond Lawyers

Being arrested and jailed is no fun, but dealing with bond and bail issues can be downright maddening. What are bond and bail, anyway – and what are your legal rights? Here’s the information you need on bond and bail:

The term "bail" refers to a sum of money required by the court in order to ensure you will not be a flight risk and that you will appear at your court dates after going free. Bail is determined after your arrest at a hearing presided over by a judge, who reviews the prosecutor’s accusations against you and decides what the amount of money should be depending on the circumstances of the accused crime, the severity of the accusation, your perceived flight risk, and your perceived danger to the community.

"Bond" refers to the sum of money set for your release. Once the amount has been determined, you can pay the court or a bail bondsman 10% of the total bail amount; they cover the rest and you are free until your hearing date. The 10% down is generally non-refundable, though the rest of the money loaned is paid back once you appear in court. Some courts that take 10% refund your money if you show up in court and comply with all agreements.

Though bond and bail are supposed to be reasonable, problems often occur during the process. For example, you may be held without bail due to a significant accusation or criminal history; the amount set may be unreasonable; or you may be unable to afford bail. Fortunately, everyone is allowed to have a legal representative with them in court, even at their first bond hearing. Finding a New York criminal defense attorney with experience in bond and bail can significantly improve your chances of prevailing in court and lessen the amount of bail due.

At Conaway & Strickler, P.C., we understand the stress and frustration an arrest and subsequent New York bail hearings can bring. We stand up for each of our clients, protecting their legal rights and fighting on their behalf with all the resources our longstanding reputation, great track record, and competent support staff provide. Have you been arrested? Turn to the best. Call Conaway & Strickler, P.C. today for more information and a free case consultation.