Without Bail Bonds Grand Rapids Accused May Have To Remain In Custody

By Virginia Morgan


Law enforcement agencies place thousands of people under arrest every year. The vast majority of those arrested are ordinary citizens that can by no means be described as career criminals. They made stupid mistakes such as trying to make an illegal profit, cheating on their taxes and driving while under the influence. After they have been booked, they are normally allowed to go free. By applying for bail bonds Grand Rapids accused are normally released within a few hours.

When arrested, the most immediate priority is to obtain the services of an experienced criminal defence attorney. It is lunacy to try and represent oneself. The legal field is full of pitfalls and it is very easy to make disastrous mistakes. Once a lawyer is appointed he will review the circumstances of the arrest. Thereafter he will arrange for the release of his client.

It is common practice to let accused go free until their trial dates. There are conditions, however. The court will have to be convinced that the accused will, in fact, attend his trial and that he will not contact other witnesses. The court will then set an amount that must be paid in cash to act as security that the conditions of release will be observed. This amount can be borrowed from a bondsman.

A bondsman is a type of financier that lends money to arrested people who does not have the cash to pay the surety required by the court. Qualifying clients are normally granted instant loans within an hour or so. The bondsman will pay the surety to the courts and the accused will then be released without further delay.

The cost of a loan from a bondsman is normally about fifteen per cent of the loan amount. Bondsmen charge steep fees because they have to take the risk that the client will indeed honour the conditions for release. Of course those arrested are not in a position to negotiate. The accused will have to pledge his assets as security for the loan and he will have to sign a legal agreement.

People that were arrested and then told they can be released as soon as they pay the security amount do not always think logically. Many accused therefore sign contracts with bondsmen without even reading the terms and conditions. The best course of action is to leave the arrangement of such a loan in the hands of the attorney, who will have experience in such matters.

No accused should even contemplate breaking the conditions of release set by the court. The consequences can be very serious. He may be arrested and charged with additional offences and he may be remanded in custody until his case is heard. This may mean months in prison. He will also lose the money he paid as security for release. The only course of action is to strictly adhere to all the conditions set by the court.

The custom of releasing accused until their court dates is often criticized. However, it is the inalienable right of every accused to be presumed innocent until he has been found guilty by a court. It is also not realistic to keep all accused in custody. Breadwinners must be allowed to keep caring for their families.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment