Temple Bond Hearing Attorney
If you have been arrested for a crime, you might be let out on bond as you await trial. Before being released, however, you will probably attend a bond hearing where the judge will decide if bond is appropriate and how much. A bond is meant to ensure your appearance in court. It is usually money you pay into the court which you will forfeit if you skip town. The money is refunded to you at the completion of the criminal process.
Having a Temple criminal defense attorney by your side during a bond hearing is a very good idea. Judges have discretion over whether to let someone out on bond or not, and a lawyer can help you make the strongest case possible for a reasonable bond. Contact our Temple bond hearing attorney today for more information.
What is “Bond”?
Under Texas law, bond means one of three things:
- Cash bond. The defendant pays the full amount of the bond into the court, which secures release. This is hard for most people to pull off, since they don’t have an extra $20,000 or $100,000 laying around.
- Bail bond. A defendant can use a bonding company by paying a percentage of the bond. For example, a judge might set bail at $100,000 and you can get a bond for a percentage of that, such as 10%, along with a fee.
- Personal recognizance. This is rare. A judge basically lets someone out without requiring any sort of security in the form of a bond.
Judges look at different factors when setting bail, e.g., your criminal history, the current charges, your risk of fleeing, and the risk you pose to otherwise if let out to await trial. A seasoned Temple bond hearing lawyer can present a compelling case to the judge.
What if Bond is Too High?
Your attorney can request a Bond Reduction Hearing by filing documents with the court. During the hearing, a judge will consider lowering the bond to something you can pay.
A defendant must present evidence that he or she cannot afford the bond. This can be a little difficult. Ideally, our clients will have financial information, such as bank records or pay stubs, to present to the judge. Different people might also need to testify, including family members or a bail bondsman.
In Texas courtrooms, there is a risk when defendants themselves testify. A skilled attorney will want to avoid opening the door by asking questions about the underlying criminal offense. That could give the prosecutor a chance to start asking about the criminal incident in question, too. There is a definite art to handling a bond reduction hearing, and defendants are advised to find a lawyer with experience in this area.
Contact Our Temple Bond Hearing Attorney for More Information
An experienced attorney is a terrific asset to have at all stages of the bond process. The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC has helped many men and women get out of jail as they await trial, and we are eager to help you as well. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
