Someone who has been arrested and charged with a misdemeanor might go through their arraignment and find out that the bail amount is more than they can afford. Though misdemeanor bail amounts are typically lower than those for felony charges, they can be expensive. Before getting one of the Misdemeanor Bonds in Kaufman, TX, the arrested person may want to see if they can get the bail amount lowered.
Determining the Bail Amount
The bail amount may be preset, but the arrested person will likely need to go through an arraignment to find out exactly what it is. During the arraignment, the judge will review the charges as well as other information to determine how much the bail should be. If the person is a flight risk or there’s a risk they’d commit the same crime again before their hearing, the judge may decide on a higher bail amount.
Requesting a Lower Amount
During the arraignment, the arrested person may be able to request a lowered bail amount and explain that they cannot afford the current amount. It’s a good idea to do this with help from a lawyer, who may be able to convince the judge to lower the bail amount significantly. Whether the judge will agree to lower the bail depends on a number of different factors. If the judge will not lower the bail amount, the arrested person can seek a bail bond to help them.
Getting a Bail Bond
Bail bonds are designed to help those who cannot afford their bail. Even if the amount has been reduced, if the arrested person cannot afford to pay it in full, they can speak with a bonding company about getting a bail bond. They will need to secure the bond with a deposit or collateral, but they will pay far less than they would if they paid the bail in full on their own. The bonding company then pays the bail on their behalf so they can be released from jail.
If your loved one has been arrested and they cannot afford their bail, getting one of the Misdemeanor Bonds in Kaufman, TX can help. Talk with a Bondsman today to learn more about what can be done to minimize the amount that needs to be paid to secure your loved one’s release.