How is bail amount determined introduction
Before diving into the details about how bail amount is determined, let’s first look at bail itself.
To learn more about North Las Vegas jail, check out our article on the subject.
What Is Bail?
Bail is the amount that has been decided as the payment for you to be set free from custody until the day of your trial. This money is held by the court until your trial concludes.
If you appear before the court, then your bail is given back to you. If you do not appear before the court, even if it was not out of malintent, then you forfeit receiving your money back.
If you cannot afford your bail outright, it is best to get help from a bail bonds agency. You will be looking at 15% of the total cost of your bail as your premium.
Pre-set Schedule or Set in Court?
Bail determined through a bail schedule in the state of Nevada.
If the crime is not on the schedule, then you will have to appear before the judge to set your bail amount.
How is bail amount determined for different categories of crimes in Nevada?
Good question.
Check out the link from the Clark County Nevada website for more information.
Misdemeanor Bail Amounts In Nevada
Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors are the least serious offenses with the smallest bail amounts.
Bail for these offenses ange from $1000-$5000.
Note that failure to appear in court can constitute a misdemeanor. Never miss your court date!
Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors
There is a difference between misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors.
The petty misdemeanor bail amount runs up to $1000. However, the gross misdemeanor bail amount can go as high as $5000.
With petty misdemeanors, you can be incarcerated for up to six months. However, with gross misdemeanors, you could face jail time up to a year.
With a gross misdemeanor, you have the right to trial by jury. You do not typically have that option with a petty misdemeanor.
Another difference between these types of misdemeanors is how long you have to wait until your record is sealed. It is only a year for petty misdemeanors but longer for gross misdemeanors.
Felony
You might be asking, “How is bail amount determined” for felonies in the state of Nevada?”
Category E and D felonies have bail up to $5000 and prison sentences up to 4 years.
Note that Category D felonies are more serious than E, such as involuntary manslaughter.
For Category C felonies like grand larceny, bail can be $10,000 to $15,000 dollars.
The amount for Category B felonies, including robbery or a DUI offense, committed for the third time or more, can be up to $20,000. Felonies of this kind can potentially come with lengthy prison sentences. And for some Category B offenses, there is no pre-set bail.
For some Category B felonies, you will have to go see the judge to receive your bail….There is no set bail schedule.
Category A is the highest offense category and includes horrific crimes of murder and rape. Bail is absolutely set in court for these crimes.
The lowest category of a felony is category E.
Fun Fact: What is the highest bail ever set?
Stunningly, Robert Durst has the record for the highest set bail at $3 billion. He was arrested on a murder charge, tampering with evidence, and fleeing his trial.
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