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Bail Reduction Hearings Lawyers
Understanding Bail and How an Attorney Can Help
If you have been taken into custody after being charged with a crime, it is possible that you will be required to pay a fee to get out of jail. This payment is known as bail, and you may be able to get it back at the conclusion of your case. How is bail determined, and how can an attorney help you get your bail amount reduced?
How Is Bail Determined?
Bail is determined based on a number of factors unique to your case. For instance, if you have committed a misdemeanor, your bail will likely be less than if you committed a felony. This is because felonies are considered to be more serious offenses, and letting you go may pose a higher risk to the community. Examples of felonies are rape, murder and arson.
Bail may also be determined by your criminal record. If you have previous convictions or have been charged numerous times in the past, you may pose a greater risk to the community if you are allowed to go free. However, a first-offender may be given a lower bail amount or even be allowed to be released on his or her own recognizance.
Finally, your bail will be determined by the likelihood that you will flee if let out of custody. For instance, if you have connections to other countries that don’t have extradition agreements or tell a judge that you don’t plan on staying, your bail will be higher than normal if you are granted bail at all.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
How Can An Attorney Help You Reduce Your Bail?
An attorney can use several tactics in an effort to reduce the amount of your bail. First, it may be possible to argue that you are not a flight risk because you believe in your innocence and look forward to arguing your case. Legal counsel may also establish that you have ties to the community such as a job, a business or a nonprofit organization that you have to oversee.
Bail may be reduced if you can show that there were extenuating circumstances related to either this charge or previous charges. For instance, if you were charged with a murder in the past, your attorney may bring up the fact that it was actually in self-defense but local laws mandated a minimum sentence for using a firearm to commit the crime. This shows that you aren’t likely to be a danger to the community if allowed to go free pending your case.
Conditions May Be Placed on Your Bail
Another way to successfully get bail reduced may be to offer concessions to the court. Those who have passports may offer to turn them in to reduce the risk of being a flight risk prior to a case. Other related concessions may be turning in a drivers license or agreeing not to use a private plane or boat until the case is resolved.
Other conditions may be that you are not allowed to use a computer or a cell phone as it could be used to make contact with your alleged victim. You may also have to agree to drug testing or a curfew to ensure your freedom comes at a reasonable cost. If you are put under a curfew, it may be waived if you need to work late or have another good reason to be out past that time.
If you don’t think that your bail was reasonable based on your crime and criminal history, you should consider asking for a reduction. At a reduction hearing, an attorney may be able to help establish that you are good person who deserves the benefit of the doubt. In some cases, having an individual living at home allows that person to provide for his or her family while reducing the amount taxpayers pay to house and feed that person.
What is the Role of a Licensed Bail Bondsman?
If you are ever in jail or know someone who is in jail, then you might find that the assistance of a bail bondsman is a benefit. This is a person that can often get you released from jail by taking a bail amount instead of the entire bond that the judge sets. Most bondsmen will take at least 10 percent of the total amount before signing the paperwork for your release with many requiring 15 to 30 percent. If you don’t go to court, then the bondsman would be able to do what is needed to find you and take you to jail once again. The entire bond amount would usually then need to be paid back. You can use cash, debit or credit cards and even a property title in most states to post the bail for someone. Keep in mind that if you do end up paying the bond amount, then the property that is used as collateral could be taken.
A bail agent is simply a person who acts as a surety. This is a person who offers a guarantee to the court that the person will show up when expected if released from jail. Most bondsmen will try to work with the person released to help with finding a job, getting counseling or taking classes in order to show that there is an effort being made to stay out of trouble. Some bondsmen will provide counseling for the person released so that there is someone to talk to about the problems that are taking place in life that have led to going to jail.
Some agents will hire a bounty hunter in the event that the person who was released doesn’t go to jail instead of personally seeking the person. There are licensing requirements for each state, some differing in the education that is required and some differing in the insurance requirements. In most states, you don’t need any kind of special degree, but one in criminal justice would be beneficial. Another option would be to take a law enforcement course so that you know of the laws in the state and the proper ways to detain an individual if it’s needed.
The Role of a Bail Bondsman
The goal of the bondsman and the overall provide freedom for the defendant. The freedom offered can mean the difference between keeping a job, staying in school or even keeping a family together. The bondsman can often be at the jail in a short time once the defendant calls so that the paperwork can be processed as quickly as possible after the bail amount is received. Once the bail is paid with the money that is received from the defendant, family or friends, then the bondsman will declare that the defendant can be released. The bondsman will often have to pay the entire bond amount himself if the defendant skips the court date, which is why bounty hunters are hired and why bondsmen sometimes go to extreme lengths to find the defendant.
Becoming a Bail Bondsman
A training program is usually offered by each state since there are no specific degrees that need to be held. Once these classes are completed, then the bondsman would be licensed in most instances. However, there are insurance and credit requirements that need to be dealt with as well. Many states require that a bondsman have a minimal credit score and no judgements on the credit. Bondsmen must pass a criminal background check. There are usually yearly examinations that are given along with training classes that are given on a regular basis so that bondsmen know of any changes to the law in the state. There is a healthy job growth in this career field that is predicted in the future. While the salary is about $30,000 it really depends on whether you are in business for yourself or if you work with other agents. If you work for yourself or with a company, you need to have a bank account that you put money into that will be used in the event that you have to pay the bond amount.
