Origins of Bail Law in the USA

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Bail law dates back all the way to the time of our founding fathers. After the Declaration of Independence went into effect in 1776, the majority of colonies abandoned the English law for bail, and instead, adopted their own versions. For instance, Section 9 in the Virginian Constitution of 1776 stated, “excessive bail ought not to be required…”, and in 1785 added, “Those shall be let to bail who are apprehended for any crime not punishable in life or limb…But if a crime be punishable by life or limb, or if it be manslaughter and there be good cause to believe the party guilty thereof, he shall not be admitted to bail.” Similarly, Section 29 in the Pennsylvanian Constitution of 1776 stated, “Excessive bail shall not be exacted for bailable offenses.” And to this very day, the 8th Amendment in the U.S. Federal Bill of Rights reads, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

The Judiciary Act of 1789

Shortly after James Madison wrote the first 10 Amendments in the U.S. Constitution, better known as the Bill of Rights, Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789. This act limited the discretion of judges when setting bail, and distinguished which types of crimes were eligible for bail. It states that all non-capital crimes are eligible for bail, and that capital cases are under the judge’s discretion in terms of detaining a suspect prior to trial. Here is a direct excerpt to explain, “Upon all arrests in criminal cases, bail shall be admitted, except where punishment may be by death, in which cases it shall not be admitted but by the supreme or a circuit court, or by a justice of the supreme court, or a judge of a district court, who shall exercise their discretion therein.”

The Bail Reform Act of 1966

Now we jump ahead several decades to 1966, when congress enacted the Federal Bail Reform Act. This act stated that all defendants suspected of non-capital crimes are to be released, pending trial, on their own personal recognizance, or on personal or private bond. However, it also states that this right can be revoked by the judicial officer (magistrate) if they feel that the above-mentioned incentives will ensure the defendant’s presence at trial. This act also eliminates a judge’s discretion in non-capital cases to consider a defendant a danger to the community.

Up to Date

The last major change to bail law was made by congress in 1984. They replaced the Bail Reform Act of 1966 with the current bail law: United States Code, Title 18, Sections 3141-3150. Source: www.law.cornell.edu

The rules of bail vary from state to state, and even among individual counties. It is important to be sure you are getting the right information. To learn more about the current laws surrounding bail in your particular county of residence or criminal charges, contact a trusted bail bond company for professional advice.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Indianapolis, fast. Owner, James Woods, and his licensed team of bail bondsmen, are eager to help you post bond in over 30 Indiana counties! We offer a wide range of bail bond services, as well as, free quotes, free jail information, and free pick-up and drop-off services to and from our office. Call 317-876-9600 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis bail bonds, today!

Can I Post Bail on Robbery Charges?

In Indiana, every person has a right to bail as long as their criminal charges are not for murder, and they are not on probation or parole. So if you were arrested for robbery in Indiana, you may or may not have the right to bail, but you are likely to face a plethora of legal penalties if convicted. Continue reading to learn the bail schedule for crimes like robbery and more.

Marion County Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Marion County Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bail Privileges

Even though every person in Indiana has the right to bail does not mean that every person will be granted the opportunity. There are several factors that influences a judge’s decision to allow bail or not. And if they do, they can raise or lower the bail amount based on these same factors. The most common reason why bail is not granted by a judge is for being a flight risk, or for being a danger to themselves or to others.

If a judge believes a person is likely to leave the state or the country, harm someone or themselves, or knows the offender has a history of fleeing, they may not set bail for them at all. And even if a judge does grant bail, an offender can be denied by a separate bail bond company if the bail bondsman knows they have skipped bail before. In this case, the offender would have to pay the full bond amount in cash, directly to the courts.

In some cases, bail is delayed if the offender was arrested while on probation or parole. It is important to discuss your bail options with an experienced bail bondsman who can explain the criminal bond procedures in your county of arrest. It is equally important to have a criminal lawyer defending your rights.

Indiana Bail Schedule for Robbery and Other Similar Crimes:

The bail schedule in Indiana varies among individual counties. As an example, here is the bail schedule for Marion County, Indiana:

Surety = $30,000 – $50,000 (Depending on Enhancements, $5000 per Enhancement)

Robbery is a Level 5 Felony in Indiana, but when it involves using a deadly weapon, it is a more serious crime referred to as armed robbery. In Marion County, armed robbery is a Level 3 Enhanced Felony. This is punishable by 3 to 16 years in a federal prison, and up to $10,000 in fines. If an individual is a habitual offender, in can increase to an even more serious charge.

SOURCE: IN.GOV

Marion County Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Marion County, Indiana. Owner, James Woods, is happy to answer your questions about posting bail and more. We are open 24 hours a day, and offer free quotes, free jail information, jail pick up and drop off services, and much more. Call 317-876-9600 to speak with a friendly Marion County bail bondsman, today.

Will I Go to Jail if I’m Caught Urinating in Public?

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

When a person chooses to urinate in public, they are committing a crime. The act of urinating in public is illegal in all 50 states, and can lead to a few different types of charges depending on the local legislature and how good a person’s behavior is with law enforcement. A person can be charged with disorderly conduct or being a public nuisance; or they get charged with something harsher, like indecent exposure or public lewdness.

These harsher convictions may force someone to register as a sex offender in some states. So what does it mean to urinate in public? It constitutes as relieving oneself in an area that is open to the public. Whether behind trees and bushes, an alleyway, or on the side of an abandoned building, if you are caught relieving yourself in public, you may be subjected to legal ramifications, including jail time.

A Misdemeanor Could Mean Jail

In states where urinating in public is charged as a minor infraction of disorderly conduct or public lewdness, offenders face being convicted of a misdemeanor. The penalties for misdemeanors vary from state to state, but can include any combination of probation, fines, community service, drug testing, and even jail. The chances of jail time increase with enhancements, like having prior convictions, urinating on school grounds or within the presence of children, and so forth.

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

When it comes to being arrested for public urination, the circumstances also vary among states, and even among the personal preference of law enforcement. Sometimes, if a person is young or very cooperative, a cop will let a person go without citing them, but this is rare. Most often, a person who is caught urinating in public will be arrested and taken to the local county jail where they can post bond as soon as it is set. In other cases, a cop may simply cite a person and give them a court summons to appear on a certain date
to hear their charges and enter a plea.

Posting Bond for Public Urination

Generally, posting bond after being arrested for public urination can happen quickly. Of course, this also depends on the amount of traffic is in the jail, what day of the week it is, and if a person demonstrates good behavior. But if a person is arrested for urinating in public, and they are also intoxicated, the process will take longer because most jails will not process an inmate until they are deemed sober. The wait time for this is 8 to 10 hours. Once this amount of time has passed, and the person is cooperative, they can be processed and then given a chance to post their bail. If a person is sober when arrested, they could post their bond as soon as it is set, so long as they are on good behavior. Bonds can be set in as little as one hour.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, offers bail bond services in over 30 Indiana counties! We offer state bonds, county bonds, federal bonds, probation violation bonds, immigration bonds, property bonds, and more. We operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so call anytime for fast and friendly bail bonds.