Criteria that determine whether bail is granted, and if so, the amount, include the defendant’s:

• Flight risk
• Severity and nature of the crime
• Criminal history
• Ties to the community
• Risk to others
• Work history

If bail is set, you are released upon payment. If you cannot afford the bail you may apply to a bail bondsman. You pay the bondsman a commission of ten to fifteen percent, he or she pays the court your bail money, and you are released. If you pay bail and then fail to appear for your trial, the court declares the bond forfeited and orders your immediate arrest without warrant. If your family has used a home to pledge your bail, it could be lost if you do not appear in court.  It helps to have a NJ Criminal Defense Law Firm when you are in trouble.

In some instances, the judge may release you on your own recognizance without requiring bail. This constitutes a promise between you and the judge to appear in court whenever you are called. If you have questions about the bail bond process you should contact a NJ criminal defense lawyer.