WHAT IS BAIL AND HOW IS IT SET OR CHANGED?
You have the right to be subject to bail except in certain situations. Bail is the setting of an amount of money or other security deposited with the Court to ensure that you will appear in Court as scheduled. It is set according to a schedule. The factors used and the amount of the bail may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Generally, these factors include your prior criminal history, prior failure to appear in Court including traffic cases, your ties to the community, your employment history, whether you own your home, whether you have a telephone in your name, and whether you are a risk to flee or a risk to the community based on the alleged offense. Usually the more serious the pending charge and weighted responses to these factors will result in a higher bond amount. For many, your bond may be an O.R., or release on your own recognizance based on a promise to reappear because a Judge or Bail Commission believes you will reappear as ordered. Otherwise, bail can be a set amoun
