Judges determine bail and exercise discretion in determining the appropriate bail. They consider the accused's rights and the community's safety. This decision directly impacts the accused's ability to prepare for his/her defense and navigate the legal system from a position of freedom.
Bail is part and parcel of the U.S. (and Californian) legal system. It's essential for upholding American citizens' right to a fair trial.
Circumstances that may justify higher bail amounts include cases where defendants: face serious charges (such as sexual assault or murder) have a history of bail jumping or failing to appear.
Bail is not intended as a punishment in itself. It is rather a way of securing a defendant's agreement to abide by certain conditions and return to court.
How Long Can a Person Be Out on a Bail Bond? Most states allow the bail bonds to last anywhere from 90 to 120 days. However, the time period varies based on the seriousness of the crime. The person's previous criminal record is also considered.
There are logistical challenges, like not being able to miss work, lacking transportation to court, or not having childcare. People may not have recent or updated information about when or where to appear in court. Some may not even know they had a mandatory court date in the first place.
If the defendant fails to appear as directed in the appearance ticket or the summons, the Court may issue a warrant for the defendant's arrest.
The Supreme Court amendments provide that a defendant has waived his right to be present at the trial of a capital or noncapital case in two circumstances: (1) when he voluntarily absents himself after the trial has begun; and (2) where he “engages in conduct which is such as to justify his being excluded from the ...
Because criminal cases can end through dismissals and other means, the rate of criminal cases that actually make it to trial is estimated to be around 2% or 3%. (See State vs. Federal Prosecution.)
Felony Hearing (Preliminary Hearing) At the felony hearing, the prosecutor must establish reasonable cause that a crime occurred and present testimony that the defendant committed the crime. The victim and/or witness must be present to testify during this proceeding.