POSTING BAIL IN PENNSYLVANIA

Sometimes when posting bail in Pennsylvania, no actual money was paid. This is when an offender gets an R.O.R., and they were released on their own recognizance. It means that the person likely had a minor charge with a good criminal record, the judge trusts him or her to return to court, and feels that they are not a flight risk. An R.O.R. bail is not given to just anyone of course, and many offenders simply have to post bail if they want to go home before their court date. There are many things that the judge looks at when setting the bail that will always determine how high or low it will be.

Even still, the judge has to adhere to certain laws when setting bail in Pennsylvania. They cannot make it too high according to the Eight Amendment, which clearly states that bail should never be used as punishment to an offender. So, a judge will always carefully examine the defendant, the current crime, and their criminal record before saying a specific number. That is, if they say a number at all. Sometimes, judges can hold inmates in jail without bail for a number of reasons.

If the judge feels the defendant is too dangerous to let back out, for example, they can deny bail. If they are a career drug dealer with no legitimate funds, and the judge feels that they will try to use drug money to pay the court, bail could be denied. Some offenders may try to flee if they are let out, plus there are those who are repeat offenders that a judge may feel wary about releasing. In the most extreme cases, a person may get denied bail because the judge thinks they would try to harm someone, like a witness to the case. There are also those cases where a judge may feel that, if the defendant is released, that they would tamper with evidence.

Inmates many times get through the bail process easily with no problems through a bail bondsman. He, the court, and the prisoner go into a contract where the bondsman says that he will pay the court if the offender does not adhere to the terms provided concerning their release. Your criminal defense attorney will be more than happy to explain to you any specific questions that you could possibly have about posting bail in Pennsylvania.