A lot of crime could be stopped if people realized the difficulty of getting out of jail. Most jails have bail schedules with amounts set for misdemeanor crimes. However, someone accused of a serious felony must ask a Judge for a bond. A lawyer files a Petition for Bond and a hearing will be set. Unfortunately, with the court schedule, it can take up to two weeks to get a hearing.
Often, people who bail out have conditions on the bond. For example, if a man is arrested for fighting with a girlfriend, he may be ordered to stay away from her. If the condition is violated, he will go back to jail. People who need a Jail Bond in Clayton County often have to pay a bondsman for their release. Suspects pay a bondsman because they do not have the full amount of the bail. A bondsman usually accepts a percentage of the bond to get someone out of jail. The percentage is their fee and the money is non-refundable. Free At Last Bail Bonds is a nationwide company with several locations in Georgia. Sometimes, people are lucky enough to get out of jail on an O.R. bond. O.R. bonds are reserved for people with minor charges, and who have strong ties to the community.
Judges may deny a Jail Bond in Clayton County for a variety of reasons. Therefore, it is not guaranteed that a suspect will get a bond at their hearing. A suspect will get a high bond if they are deemed to be a threat to the community, or accused of a crime involving a child. The judge may also set a high bond if the suspect has a lengthy criminal record. The judge also looks at whether the suspect has a job and family in the area. Sometimes, judges are afraid to set bonds for people suspected of serious crimes. Judges are elected officials and they worry about suspects committing crimes while released on bond. However, the judge must follow the 8th amendment, which means that bails cannot be excessive or used as punishment. A suspect is innocent until proven guilty and has the right to be released pending trial.
