Generally, a criminal defendant has the opportunity to post bail in order to await trial from the comfort of their own home. However, bail isn’t guaranteed. If a judge determines that it’s not in the state’s best interest to have the accused out on bail, bail can be denied for a number of reasons in Angleton, TX. Read on to learn why, and what you can do if bail is denied.

Why would a judge deny bail?

Wondering why a judge would deny bail in a particular case? Here are some of the factors that can lead them to take such a step:

• The crime is severe: Some crimes are so horrifying that the judge feels it would be too much of a risk to allow the defendant out on bail, lest they repeat their actions. This is most common in cases of rape, armed robbery or murder.
• You’re a flight risk: If your judge feels that you are likely to skip town before trial, they may deny bail. For example, if you’ve skipped trial dates before, or have easy access to money and international transportation, they may feel the risks outweigh the benefits of allowing bail.
• You’ve missed court dates: One of the conditions of being released on bail is that you show up for all of your court dates, without fail. If you’re back in jail because you keep missing court dates, you’re demonstrating that you’re also less likely to show up for trial.
• It’s a repeat offense: If you’ve been arrested for and charged with the same crime time and time again, that sends a clear signal to the judge that you’re not a reliable person. Instead, it demonstrates a lack of good judgment and the potential for committing similar crimes when out on bail.
• You’re a danger to the public: Finally, if the nature of your crime or other factors indicate that you’re a threat to public safety, a judge will deny you bail to keep others safe.

What to do if you don’t make bail

If you have been denied bail in Angleton, TX, you should contact an attorney right away. Although judges can have very good reasons for denying bail, they’re not infallible. Your attorney can help you determine whether you have a case for challenging the denial, or if it’s best that you go with the ruling and await trial from jail. Since bail is a time-sensitive matter, if your attorney can appeal, they’ll need to do so before the filing time runs out. Make sure to contact them immediately so they can get the ball rolling.

In some states, being denied a bail bond is final, so you should be aware that it’s a possibility. In that case, your attorney may be able to challenge the denial with a writ of habeas corpus. However, this is generally considered an extreme and unusual measure, so it may not be available to you.

If you’re in a situation where you can post bail, it’s always a great idea to work with a bail bonds service in Angleton, TX. Call Brazoria County Bail Bonds today to learn more.