Bond Reduction
Once bond is ordered by the court, it is up to you to post the bond or to hire a bail bondsman to post it for you. You will not be released until the bond is posted and any other preconditions of release are satisfied.
However, in situations where your bond is set to high or is simply unaffordable, an attorney can file a motion with your trial judge asking for a bond reduction. As a Fort Lauderdale bail bonds attorney, I have successfully represented many people in seeking a bond reduction. Many of the same points will be considered by a judge when considering a bond reduction. These include:
- Nature of the Offense
- Flight Risk
- Danger to the Community
- Criminal Record
- Victim Input
When asking for a bond reduction it is also necessary for a criminal attorney to explain why the bond reduction is needed. One cannot simply go to court seeking a discount. Bond is not a used car. When a defendant presents a legitimate need that is supported by the facts and evidence, a criminal attorney has a decent chance at getting bond reduced. Of course, such matters are considered on a case-by-case basis and judges may grant a bond reduction in one case and deny it in another – even when the charges are the same or the arrested persons are co-defendants in the same case.
Just like in a capital offense or a LIFE felony, a criminal attorney must consider the specific case facts, the controlling law, the defendant’s background, his/her ties to the community and criminal history, if any, and devise a bond reduction strategy that addresses the specific issues present.
This is important because this is what the judge will do when considering a motion to reduce bond. To maximize the chances of success, a criminal attorney must foresee the issues that will be considered by the judge in light of the specifics of any one case.