What Happens If You’re Out on Bail and Get Arrested Again?
When someone is arrested, they may have the opportunity, depending on the type of crime, to post bail and then be released from jail until their court hearing. Posting bail can be done by anyone, but is typically paid for by a family member, friend, or a bail bonds company. The purpose of bail is to provide the court with some assurance that the defendant will appear in court for their hearing.
When bail is posted, there are certain conditions that must be followed. The bail conditions may vary depending on several factors, including the type and seriousness of the crime, if there is a prior criminal record, and several other conditions. Conditions of bail may include pretrial check-ins, no-contact orders, travel restrictions, no alcohol consumption, and the requirement that all laws are obeyed.
ASAP Bail Bonds provides bonds for the defendants throughout the Atlanta area. Our bail bondsman have been in the industry for years, and therefore we want to ensure that being arrested and the court process is as stress-free as possible. We understand that this situation is overwhelming and can be confusing, but we’re here to help guide you through the process and will be there to answer any questions you may have about what your responsibilities are.
The bail amount is set by a judge and is often hundreds or even thousands of dollars, which can be incredibly difficult for the average person to come up with, especially on extremely short notice. Our bail bond service is here to make sure that you’re not spending more time in jail that you have to. When you need to post bail quickly, ASAP Bail Bonds offers 24-hour bail bonds so you can be released from custody and can get back to your normal life.
When Happens If I’m Re-Arrested While Out on Bail?
As a condition of being released on bail, the defendant must obey all laws. This includes minor traffic laws, drug and alcohol laws, and more.
The Second Arrest Is New and Completely Separate
When you are arrested while released on bail, it is treated as a completely separate charge and will have its own set of court hearings and processes and possibly its own bail amount. There could even be a court date for the first offense that occurs while you are in jail for the second offense.
It May Affect Settlement Negotiations
If there were active settlement negotiations for the first crime, the prosecutor may drop all settlement possibilities, the negotiations could start all over again, or the prosecutor could even decide to pursue charges for the first crime. There will most likely be a second prosecutor for the second offense and that case will also be seen before a judge.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Second Offenses
If you committed a misdemeanor crime the first time and were arrested for a second misdemeanor while released on bail, the arresting officer or the judge may decide to increase the bail amount required for you to be released again. In many cases, the judge will decide that you should not be released from custody due to the belief that you may commit another crime.
If you committed a felony the first and second offenses, the prosecutor could charge you with a “Crime Bail Crime.” If charged with a crime bail crime, it could add an additional two years to any sentence you may have received for the new crime.
The Court May Revoke Bail
Depending on the severity of the crime and if there is a prior criminal record, the judge may revoke bail and decide to not set a new bail amount. You will be held in custody until your court hearing. If this is the case, any money you had paid the court, or a bond that was paid on your behalf by a bail bondsman is forfeited.
Not following the conditions of bail, regardless of how minor the offense is, can have real repercussions and increases the seriousness of the situation you’re in. If you were released on bail, it is imperative that you strictly follow the conditions set by the court. When a condition is broken, it could mean increased time in jail, a longer sentence, forfeited bail money, and could mean losing your job, affecting relationships, and more.
At ASAP Bail Bonds, it is our job to make sure that you are aware of your responsibilities while released from custody. We will ensure that you show up to your court hearing and that you follow all conditions of being released on bail. If you live in the Atlanta area, need to get out of jail after being arrested, and can’t come up with the bail money, you can count on our team of professional, friendly, and reliable bail bondsman. We offer some of the lowest fees in Atlanta, which means that when the court process is completed, you will get back a larger portion of the bail amount.
If you have any questions about the process or if you were arrested while released on bail, get in touch with the team at ASAP Bail Bonds and we will help guide you through the process.