Is New York Bail Reform Still in Effect? Yes, bail reforms which were enacted in 2019 are still in effect. However, there were certain rollbacks made thereafter which have limited, to some extent, the reforms that were put in place.
The decision to post bail for someone should not be taken lightly. Financially, you risk losing the bail amount or collateral if the defendant fails to appear in court. Legally, the defendant's absence can lead to arrest warrants and additional charges, complicating their legal situation further.
For all the changes that have been made to the 2020 bail reform law since it went into effect, much of the law remains the same. Money bail is still not permitted for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, though additional carveouts have been made for people who have been rearrested after being released.
In California, a bail bondsman typically has six months to find and return the defendant. If the defendant is not found in the timeframe, you will be responsible for paying not only the full amount of the bond, but also any additional expenses and any unpaid premiums.
Bail Bonds and Credit Scores It's a common misconception that co-signing for a bail bond will ruin your credit. In reality, a bail bond won't affect your credit score in any way. However, bail bond companies may conduct a credit check before allowing you to get a bail bond to make sure that you're a reliable co-signer.
The court considers the seriousness of the crime, potential penalty, and criminal history in determining the bond length. If the individual has a history of violating the law, the bond length could extend beyond the usual 90 days.
It is possible to revoke a bail bond if your circumstances or the relationship change, or you have concerns about the defendant's behavior. To revoke a bail bond in California, you will need to contact the bail bond agency and inform them of your decision.
Post-conviction bail is usually not available after convictions of serious or violent crimes, but some jurisdictions allow post-conviction bail when a defendant's sentence is shorter than the amount of time that it would likely take to resolve the appeal.
Most bond agreements include travel restrictions, confining you to a specific geographic area such as your county or state. These limitations are designed to ensure your availability for court dates. If travel is necessary, you must seek prior approval from the court or your bail bondsman.