Securing Your Release From Jail Pending Conclusion Of Your Case

At Jeffrey B. Ring & Associates, I do everything in my power to keep you out of jail while your DWI or other criminal case proceeds. I may be able to convince a judge to release you without bail but, in most cases, bail is required.

Even first-time offenders who test .16 or greater, or have a child in the car are subject to a mandatory $12,000 bail. Third offenses in 10 years are also subject to mandatory $12,000 bail.

Bail is usually set by the court as a monetary figure that must be paid by you, the defendant, in order for you to be released until the next court proceeding. If you appear as required, the bail money is released when your case concludes. If you fail to appear for a proceeding, then the amount of the bail is forfeited to the court.

How Bail Hearings Work

When you are charged with a crime such as DWI, you may be subject to a bail hearing. It sometimes is necessary to wait in jail until the hearing can be held.

In Minnesota, a bail hearing takes place in court, where the bail amount, if any, is determined. If the judge believes that you may be a danger to the public or that you are not likely to return to court for future proceedings, the judge may require you to pay bail.

Several factors impact the court's decision whether to set bail, and how high to set it. The judge reviews:

  • Your community ties
  • The nature of your employment and how long you have been employed
  • Your family members who are present at the hearing
  • Your involvement in the community
  • Your history of court appearances and prior criminal record, if any

The Job Of The Bail Bondsman

Most people do not have the cash needed to make bail, so defendants typically find a bail bondsman to put up the money in exchange for a fee that is a percentage of the bail posted. The fee may be guaranteed through a lien or some kind of security interest in another asset to make sure the bondsman is paid if the defendant jumps bail by not making future court appearances.

It is important to choose a good bail bondsman to take care of your bail and to negotiate for the best deal. You should consider:

  • Rates charged — most in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota are competitive
  • Whether the bondsman serves the particular jail where bail must be posted
  • How fast bail can be posted
  • If collateral is required
  • Whether payment plans are available

Once the bail bondsman posts bail, the process to release you from jail begins. This process can take minutes or hours depending on how busy the jail is and if you still must complete the booking process.

I will work closely with bail bondsmen to ensure you strike a deal that works best for your situation. I'll also try to keep you on track so you make your required court appearances.

Through my DWI practice, I also assist clients facing driver's license revocation or probation violations.

Minneapolis DWI Attorneys Assisting With Bail Bonds

Bail is an important component of your case and directly impacts your individual and financial freedom. Let me help you deal with it. Contact Jeffrey B. Ring & Associates for guidance from a lawyer who has seen bail from every possible angle. Your initial consultation is free.