Savannah Bond Hearing Lawyer

Savannah Bond Hearing Attorney

Bonds are an important component of the criminal justice system in the state. When a person is arrested and charged with a crime, they may be held in custody until their initial court hearing. With a bond, the defendant is released from custody under the condition that they meet specific bond requirements and appear for their court date. Bond hearings are sometimes necessary, and a Savannah bond hearing lawyer can provide support and advice for this process.

Helping Savannah, GA, Clients With Bond Hearings

New South Law, LLC, provides comprehensive defense counsel for individuals facing bond hearings in the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County. Our team has successfully assisted past clients in securing various types of bonds, and successfully obtaining a bond often requires the completion of a bond hearing. This process can be daunting, and our team will do everything we can to help you secure bond release.

The attorneys at New South Law, LLC, have a diverse range of professional experience, including military criminal defense, public defense, capital defense, and federal criminal defense. This variety of experience enables our team to deliver a higher level of defense counsel than most other defense attorneys in the area can offer. Bond hearings can be pivotal moments in any criminal case that requires the assistance of experienced counsel.

A bond hearing is essentially the defendant’s first opportunity to cultivate a positive impression with the court, and the outcome of this hearing can mean the difference between remaining in police custody until their hearing or having the freedom to leave custody under certain conditions. With our assistance, you can feel better prepared for the bond hearing and significantly increase your chances of securing approval for release.

How Does the Bond Hearing Process Work in Savannah?

The bond laws of Georgia require a defendant to have a bond hearing within 72 hours of arrest. The purpose of this hearing is for the judge to determine whether the defendant poses any type of danger should they be released from custody. Some defendants will be forced to remain in custody until their preliminary hearing, during which the court will decide whether the case will move forward or be dismissed.

During the bond hearing, the judge will assess whether the defendant poses any risk of committing another crime, intimidating or harming witnesses, or if they pose a danger to the public. The judge will also take the charges against the defendant into consideration. Some defendants may not be considered for bonding due to the severity of the charges against them, their actions during arrest, and other aggravating factors in their case.

If the defendant is denied bail, they will be compelled to remain in custody until their preliminary hearing. The team at New South Law, LLC, has the experience needed to guide you through the bond hearing process, provide strategic advice for making a strong case before the judge, and ultimately assist you in navigating this difficult initial step of your case as fluently as possible.

Understanding the Types of Bonds in the State

During a bond hearing, the judge will not only determine whether the defendant is a viable candidate for a bail bond, but they will also decide what type of bond is most appropriate. There are various types of bonds that are issued based on the specific details of the case, the defendant’s criminal record, the severity of the charges against them, and other factors:

• A signature bond or own recognizance bond does not require the defendant to put up any collateral to secure their bond. These types of bonds function similarly; however, a signature bond means that if the defendant does not appear for their court date, they will face a fine. These bonds are generally only available to individuals who are charged with nonviolent offenses and have little to no criminal history.
• Surety bonds are posted on the defendant’s behalf by a bonding company. The company will typically charge a fee equal to a percentage of the total bond amount and then post the remainder of the cost of the bond on the defendant’s behalf. The company faces liability for the total bond amount if the defendant does not appear for their court date, and this can lead to additional charges for the defendant.
• Property bonds require the defendant to use collateral to secure their release from custody. Essentially, the court holds this property in escrow until the defendant appears for their court date. As long as they appear, the property is then returned to the defendant. If they do not, the court seizes the property. The amount of property that must be put up as collateral is usually worth at least twice the bail amount.
• Cash bonds are paid directly to the court by the defendant. As long as they return for their court date, the amount paid is returned to them. If they do not appear for their court date, they will forfeit the cash paid and will likely face additional charges for failure to appear.

It is important to understand that a bond hearing is not an opportunity to prove one’s innocence or argue against the charges filed against the defendant. The purpose of this hearing is for the judge to decide whether it is safe to release the defendant from custody and, if so, to set conditions to ensure the defendant returns for their court date. Bond release alleviates jail congestion, but a judge must ensure that any such release does not pose a threat to the public.

Not only must the judge decide whether a bond is appropriate, but they must also decide which type of bond is most appropriate. Generally, the severity of the offense and the defendant’s criminal record are the most important variables in this decision. For example, a defendant charged with a nonviolent offense who has no criminal record may qualify for a signature bond or own recognizance bond, but a defendant charged with a violent felony would likely not.

What Happens During a Bond Hearing in Savannah?

A bond hearing is a relatively straightforward court procedure, but it is important for the defendant to come prepared. During the hearing, the judge will read the charges against the defendant and ask the state to recommend a bond amount. The state prosecutor will then make their argument, stating whether they believe a bond is appropriate and, if so, what amount is most suitable for the situation.

For very serious crimes, the judge will not be permitted to release the defendant on bail. It is also possible for the severity of the offense to lead to a very high bail amount, sometimes in the tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. For less serious crimes, the main determining factors as to whether the defendant can qualify for a bond release will be the severity of their offense, whether they’re a flight risk, and whether they pose a danger to others.

What to Expect From Your Savannah Bond Hearing Lawyer

Facing any type of criminal charge can be daunting, and you are likely to have many questions about your rights during the bond hearing process. You may worry about being forced to remain in custody until your preliminary hearing, and this could take months in some cases. Having the right Savannah bond hearing lawyer representing you is a tremendous asset when it comes to your impending bond hearing.

The team at New South Law, LLC, can meet with you immediately after your arrest. You have the right to a bond hearing within 72 hours of arrest, and it is important to capitalize on this opportunity as swiftly as possible to potentially reduce the amount of time you must remain in custody. You need to connect with a reliable Savannah bond hearing lawyer as quickly as possible after your arrest to have the greatest chance of a positive outcome to your bond hearing.

Your Savannah bond hearing lawyer can review the details of your case and help you determine your greatest challenges and opportunities when it comes to qualifying for bail. The lawyers at New South Law, LLC, have extensive experience defending clients from all types of criminal charges, and we are confident in our team’s ability to quickly assess a client’s greatest strengths when it comes to arguing for bond release.

Our firm can also provide robust criminal defense representation for all your impending proceedings. If you have been charged with a crime in Savannah, your bond hearing is just the first of many courtroom appearances you will need to make in order to resolve your case, and you need to work quickly to secure defense counsel and start building your defense. We can assist you through every stage of your case with unwavering support.

New South Law, LLC, draws upon a wealth of professional experience in many areas of law that we can leverage for you. We have successfully defended many clients from citations, misdemeanors, and felonies and can help you prepare for your impending bond hearing in the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County. Contact our firm today and schedule a consultation with a Savannah bond hearing lawyer to learn how we can help.