Being arrested is a stressful experience. But it is nothing compared to being in jail. Being in jail can be extremely stressful, nerve-wracking and life-changing. If you or a loved one has been arrested in the Las Vegas area, bail may be set for you based on the Clark County bail schedule or a judge may hear your case to set bail. Bail is not the same amount for every person. This may leave you wondering whether the bail amount varies based on the crime that has been committed. Here is a bit of information about why the bail amount may vary from person to person.
Does Bail Vary Based on the Crimes You Are Charged With?
Yes. Bail is not the same amount for every crime. It varies based on the crime that you are charged with. In the Las Vegas area, misdemeanors, with the exception of domestic violence battery charges and DUI have bail amounts of $1,000. Gross misdemeanors have bail amounts set at $2,000. Category D and E felonies have bail set at $3,000, Category C felonies are set at $5,000 and Category B felonies are set between $5,000 and $20,000 based on the potential imprisonment terms. Category A felonies are set by a judge. If you are charged with multiple offenses, the bail is set based on each offense. For example, if you are charged with a Category D felony and a misdemeanor, your bail is set at $3,000 plus $1,000 or $4,000.
What Crimes Have Lower Bail Amounts?
The crimes that have lower bail amounts tend to be crimes that are not violent and have less severe penalties. This often includes crimes such as theft or possession crimes. The crimes that have higher bail amounts are usually those that include bodily harm or threats. This may include assault and battery charges, sexual offenses or manslaughter charges.
What Other Factors Affect How Much Bail Will Be?
The crimes that you are charged with are not the only factors that are looked at when bail is set. In Las Vegas, before bail is set, you are fingerprinted. When you are fingerprinted, you are run through a database that looks at your past criminal history. If you are currently on parole or probation, bail will be automatically denied. A parole or probation hearing will need to be set to determine if you violated probation or parole and whether you will be eligible for bail. If you are eligible for bail, you can expect your bail amount to be higher due to the fact that you reoffended while out.
Your past criminal history can also affect how much your bail is set at. If you have multiple offenses, your bail can dramatically increase. For example, The bail schedule is set at $2,000 for a first DUI. It jumps to $5,000 for your second DUI arrest. It then jumps to $20,000 for your third DUI arrest.
What Can Be Done If You Disagree With the Amount Bail is Set At?
If you disagree with the amount that bail is set at, or you simple cannot afford to pay what it is set at, you can ask your attorney or public defender to schedule a bail reduction hearing. This type of hearing is in front of a judge. The judge will listen to many factors, including your past criminal history, the evidence against you for your current arrest and information pertaining to your finances. They will then decide whether to decrease bail, leave bail set at the amount it is, or even increase your bail, if the prosecutors recommend it and make a case for that. If a judge agrees that your bail should be lowered, they will determine what amount to set it at, and then your bail amount will be adjusted, allowing family or friends to post bail on your behalf.
After bail is set, you may find yourself looking for a Las Vegas bail bonds company to help you or a loved one get out of jail. Lightning Bail is here to help you with all of your Las Vegas area bail needs. Contact us today to get started and to get out jail as quickly as possible.
