Three Instances When A Bail Amount Can Be Increased
After an arrest, the pathway to freedom often involves a judge setting a bail amount, followed by the defendant securing the debt. Usually, after the arrest, there is a general guideline of how much the individual's bail will be. However, a lot can change between the time of the arrest and the first hearing before the judge. For this reason, it is essential for defendants and their loved ones to understand some of the scenarios in which the bail amount can change.
Prior Defendant Behavior
The defendant's criminal record is one factor that a judge can weigh to determine whether or not the minimum bail amount will be increased. However, many judges will also consider the previous behavior of the defendant.
For example, someone with just one prior arrest but a history of failing to appear in court as required could have a higher bail than someone with a lengthier arrest record but zero infractions for failing to appear. If your loved one does not have a clean history in this area, their bail could be increased or even denied.
Increased Severity of Charges
When a person is arrested, law enforcement has enough evidence to determine that a crime has been committed. Yet, it is important to understand that they do not necessarily have all the facts. Sometimes, as more information is learned about the crime, the severity of the charge might also increase.
Consider an arrest involving theft, for example. If the original value of the stolen goods was at a misdemeanor level, but upon further investigation, it is determined the monetary value reached felony status, the severity of the crime will increase, and as such, so may the bail amount. If you are already working with a bail bond company, be sure to communicate any changes early on.
Additional Criminal Discovery
Again, the arrest is just the first step. Not only can the investigation by law enforcement reveal that the original charges need to be escalated, but this process can also indicate that additional charges need to be included. Keep in mind, in many states, bail is based on the charge.
So, as you might imagine, the more charges stacked on top of each other, the greater the bail amount, which means for multiple added charges, the bail amount could increase significantly.
Again, bail bond companies are equipped to handle these changes, so in the event, a change is made, be sure to reach out to your contact for help.
