Bail hearings can play a crucial role in whether you return home to your family between trial hearings and at what cost. They also present an opportunity to make a good first impression on the court, which can affect how the rest of your case progresses. Consequently, preparing for your bail hearing plays a crucial role in securing your long-term freedom.
Attorneys can often request Las Vegas bail hearings ahead of time. However, it’s standard practice to request a spontaneous bond hearing, which occurs almost immediately. The approach used by your attorney will depend on whether he or she needs more time to summon witnesses and prepare for the hearing.
What Is a Bail Hearing in Nevada?
Bail hearings in Nevada are like small pre-trial hearings. The court reviews basic evidence and listens to arguments from both sides to set bail and determine the terms of freedom. The judge can also lower or raise an existing bail amount.
It is worth noting that sometimes the court determines no bail is required for someone to walk free until the next hearing. In cases where the court determines the individual might pose a significant risk to the public, the court could decide to allow law enforcement to hold the accused person without bail.
These hearings usually only last for a few minutes. However, if your defense team summons witnesses, the bail hearing could last for several hours.
Can the Defendant Request Multiple Bail Hearings?
It is not uncommon for the defense to make ongoing requests for hearings throughout the legal process. Some lawyers advise against this unless there is new and overwhelming evidence that could inspire lenience in a judge. There is also the possibility of prosecutors presenting evidence that works against the best interests of the defendant. This could cause the bail to increase.
How Do Judges Decide on Bail?
According to one local law firm, the Supreme Court requires Nevada judges to complete due diligence when setting or adjusting bail. He or she must complete background checks before making any decisions. Similarly, judges must make a decision within a reasonable time after the defendant’s arrest, and they must make their reasons clear for the decisions made on bail.
When evaluating the risk of letting a defendant walk free, these are some of the factors judges consider at a bail hearing:
- Whether the individual has strong ties to the local community
- Whether the person has a history of committing criminal offenses
- Whether the person poses a risk to others or themselves
- Whether the person has strong relationships with family and friends
- Whether the person has maintained a stable employment history
How Should You Prepare for a Bail Hearing?
The only person who can provide information on how to prepare for your hearing is your defense attorney. Your attorney will consider the details of your case and the applicable Nevada laws to determine what your best line of defense is.
During a hearing, your attorney will work hard to prove you are not a flight risk and pose no risk to the public. These are some of the arguments your defense team might make to secure your freedom:
- You have not been accused of a violent crime.
- You have no criminal history or a negligible criminal history.
- You have never failed to appear for a court hearing in the past.
- You have a good reputation within your community.
- You have no pending immigration issues.
- There are no outstanding warrants and you are not on probation.
The defense lawyer may present witnesses and documentation to prove these and other points at your bail hearing. Your family members, friends and even your employer can vouch for you. Some might appear in person, but sometimes letters are accepted.
Your attorney might also recommend giving up your passport and wearing a GPS tracker. This gives the court full confidence that they know where you are at all times or that you cannot legally leave the country.
Your attorney might also recommend grooming yourself and dressing appropriately for the hearing. Several studies and reports have shared that defendants are better treated when they dress well. Sometimes, this is not just about physical attractiveness but showing respect for the court.
How Do I Post Bail To Get Out of Jail?
If you feel confident, you will win your bail hearing, you could ask a bail bond agent to attend your hearing. When the judge sets the bail amount, the bail bond agent pays the amount and completes the necessary paperwork.
Note that you or your loved ones will need to have a certain portion of the bail money ready. The Las Vegas and Clark County Courts also require filing fees that can range from $40 to $50. These are some of the payment options available to you or your bail bond agent:
- Mastercard or Visa for full or partial payments up to $10,000
- Cash payments for the full amount up to $10,000
- Cashier’s checks payable to the court
Note that Las Vegas courts do not accept personal checks. Also, your ID number and inmate number must be included when paying by cashier’s check. If your bank doesn’t include this on the printed check, you might be able to write it in.
How Can a Lightning Bail Bonds Agent Help Your Hearing?
Bail bond agents do not participate in the trial or bail hearing process. We are not attorneys and cannot speak on an accused person’s behalf in a courtroom. Similarly, our team does not provide legal advice. We do encourage accused persons to know their rights and can provide answers to questions related to the bail process, what is expected of you and the role we play.
Our team can also ensure you or your loved one posts bail as soon as the court sets an amount and you pay the upfront fees. We understand that legal emergencies do not respect business hours, so our business remains open seven days a week, 24 hours per day.
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