You can negotiate for lower criminal penalties during a plea negotiation. Your attorney can argue for a reduced sentence during the sentencing hearing. After conviction, you can file a motion to reconsider your sentence or get an early release with good behavior.
No, bail is for people awaiting sentencing. Until that time you are innocent and bail is just a way to guarantee that you will go to court. After sentencing you are being detained as punishment and you must complete your sentence.
If the conviction is for a minor crime or the sentence is a relatively short one, there is a greater chance you will receive bail. Most jurisdictions weigh this decision by determining if your jail sentence is shorter than the time it would take to resolve the appeal. If so, you will likely have bail be available.
Even if you have been sentenced for a crime, you may be able to post bail and get out of custody during the course of your appeal. Post-conviction bail is not available in all states because it is not a constitutional right.
No - if you signed the bond it doesn't matter whether you have a job or not - or whether the bondsman asked you if you did. You are liable as surety on the bond - having a job or not has nothing to do with your liability. Sorry.
Bailing someone out of jail who has a history of untrustworthy behavior can create headaches. You're essentially agreeing to put up 10 percent of a bail bond that could be tens of thousands — or even hundreds of thousands — of dollars. If they fail to show, then you went to all that extra trouble for nothing.