A bail hearing is used to determine the amount of bail a defendant will pay exchange for their release until their hearings. They are typically held within a few days of an arrest. At these hearings, the court will determine the bail amount, review proof of cooperation and set the conditions of the release.
Determining Bail
Bail is determine by several factors including the type of crime committed, if the defendant is a flight risk and if the defendant is a risk to the community. As each of these factors increase in severity, the bail will also increase. Once an amount has been determined, the defendant may pay using cash or Lehigh County bail bonds.
Proof of Cooperation
During the hearing, the defendant has to prove to the court that they will return for their hearings if released. Their attorney can help them prove reliability by presenting employment history, proof of residence in the area or other ties to the community. If the person has been arrested before, they may also use their history of attending past hearings as evidence of their cooperation. If the court believes the defendant is a flight risk, their bail may be set at a higher amount.
Conditions of Release
The court will also set conditions of release when deciding bail. Examples of special conditions include no drug or alcohol use, a curfew, counseling, no use of weapons, drug testing, home detention or required supervision. If these conditions are violated, the defendant’s release can be revoked. There could also be no special conditions of release assigned to the defendant.
Defendants can expect to have a bail hearing within a few days of their arrest. The court will determine the bail amount and conditions of release at this hearing. The defendant will likely have to present proof that they will cooperate with the court and attend hearings before the bail is decided.
