Bail is money deposited as a promise to appear in court. It is set at the person’s first court appearance after they are arrested and varies based on the severity of the crime committed. If the defendant makes all of their court appearances, the bail is returned after the case is finished. Bail money is never withheld because the defendant is adjudicated guilty or as part of their sentence. Its only purpose is to ensure the defendant returns to court; it can never be used to punish the defendant.
The granting of bail is a constitutional right dating back to medieval England. Within the discretion of the court or sheriff, it must be granted unless certain factors are met. These include a high risk of not coming back to court or that the defendant presents a continuing danger to the community.
Bail Bonds in Minnesota are available when a defendant cannot afford to pay bail outright. For a serious offense, such as a felony, bail can be several thousand to several hundred thousand dollars and must be paid in cash. Lesser crimes may carry no bail at all, but only a simple promise to return, while the worst offenses, such as murder or sex crimes, will lead to the defendant being remanded into custody with no opportunity to make bail.
Bail Bonds in Minnesota are like a loan made by a bail bond company to the defendant so that they are able to pay the bail. With a bail bond, the accused or someone on their behalf, such as a friend or family member, pays a percentage of the bail in cash or gives property as collateral to the bail bond company. The bail bond company then pays 100% of the amount of the bail to the court. In exchange for this, they also charge a small fee. If the defendant doesn’t show up for court, the Midwest Bonding may help track them down so the bail is returned for them. If the defendant keeps their obligations, both the company and the defendant get back their portion of the bail.
For more information or assistance with a bond application, call us today at 763.502.1370 or browse the website at https://midwestbailbonding.com/.
