Determining and Granting Bond in Georgia

What Do Judges Look at When Deciding Whether to Grant Bond?

When a judge is considering setting a bond for someone in jail, they look at a variety of factors. One of the most important factors is whether or not the person was out on a bond for a previous case at the time of their new arrest. This is especially true in Chatham County. If someone was already out on bond and gets a new arrest in Savannah, the odds of that person obtaining another bond are slim.

Other Factors

Other than a prior criminal history, judges also seriously consider whether a person lives locally, has a job or is in school, and if they have family nearby (especially if they have dependent family members, such as children).

Judges also like to see that someone is not a flight risk. This is why it’s important to have a local address. If the Court is concerned that a detainee is a flight risk, it is often beneficial to offer solutions to that problem such as surrendering their passport to the court or even putting them on an ankle monitor to track their location.

Money Matters

Another important thing to remember is that criminal bonds serve as a significant source of income for the courts, especially in small towns like Springfield or Pembroke. If a judge is on the fence about whether to set a bond or not, it can be helpful to show that the detainee has readily available assets that they can use as a security on the bond. Property works especially well as an asset to secure the bond. Someone who has property valued at $100,000 will likely get a bond on almost any criminal charge.

Assistance With Your Bond

If you or a loved one is trying to get out on bond, it is important to have an experienced criminal lawyer on your side who knows what arguments to make to the court. Give us a call today to learn more.