Category: Bail

How to Get Bail and Out of Jail

12/11/2013

Bail is one of the issues most often on the minds of a defendant and their family. Read Judah Fuld's recently published article which outlines the strategies for convincing a judge to release the defendant without bail or to set as low a bail as possible. You can click here to go to article.

Should you or a friend need advice on bail, contact a criminal defense attorney to learn how to make a strong and persuasive bail application.

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An Introduction to Bail Determination

5/8/2012

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Both New York and New Jersey allow for bail to be set after a defendant has been arrested and arraigned but before the disposition of the criminal charges. In both states, bail is set by a judge and determined based on factors set forth by each State’s legislature. Bail enables the defendant’s release from custody while at the same time ensuring the defendant’s presence at future court appearances. If the judge, after a balancing of the factors, determines that the defendant is a serious risk of flight, then bail will be set at a high enough value to ensure the defendant’s return to court. However, should the court find that there is little or no risk of flight, then no bail will be required and the defendant will be released on his or her own recognizance.

New York CPL § 510.30 lists the factors for a judge to consider when determining bail. These include: (1) The defendant’s character, reputation, habits and mental condition; (2) His employment and financial resources; (3) His family ties and the length of his residence if any in the community; (4) His criminal record if any; (5) His record of previous adjudication as a juvenile delinquent; (6) His previous record if any in responding to court appearances; (7) The weight of the evidence against a defendant in the pending criminal action and any other factor indicating probability or improbability of conviction;

Similarly, New Jersey Court Rule 3:26-1 details the factors to be considered in setting bail, which include the following: (1) The seriousness of the crime charged against defendant, the apparent likelihood of conviction; (2) The defendant's criminal record and previous record on bail; (3) The defendant's reputation, and mental condition; (4) the length of defendant's residence in the community; (5) The defendant's family ties and relationships; (6) The defendant's employment status and financial condition; (7) responsible members of the community who would vouch for defendant's reliability; (8) factors indicating defendant's mode of life or ties to the community.

Additionally, judges in New York and New Jersey can add conditions to bail should they prove necessary to ensure the defendant’s return to court. These can include travel restrictions or a monitoring bracelet. Additionally, should any of the bail factors change during the pendency of the criminal action, either side can request that the bail be modified.

Bail is set early on in the prosecution of a case and can be the difference between a defendant sitting in jail for the duration of the prosecution or living his life as he had prior to the arrest. Therefore, if you or a friend has been arrested, contact a Criminal Defense Attorney to learn how to prepare for the possibility of bail.

Contact us today to set up a free consultation to discuss how we can help you.

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Fuld Disclosure
A Legal Blog

About the Author

Prior to joining the office, Judah Fuld served as the Law Clerk to the Honorable David H. Ironson, Superior Court of New Jersey, Criminal Division. Judah first appeared in court as a member of the Fordham Criminal Defense Clinic and has since expanded his work to various areas of criminal and civil law.

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How to Get Bail and Out of Jail

An Introduction to Bail Determination

Fuld Disclosure
A Legal Blog

About the Author

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How to Get Bail and Out of Jail

An Introduction to Bail Determination

Fuld DisclosureA Legal Blog

About the Author

Archives

Categories

Fuld Disclosure
A Legal Blog