Can you bond out on federal charges?
When you are arrested and booked on federal charges, no matter the offense, getting released on bail is much different than state or local charges. In a federal case, you’ll go before a federal magistrate judge who will decide if bail is warranted and sets the amount of bail for you to be released. Often a bail bondsman is not used for federal bail bonds unless the defendant cannot post bail on their own. A co-signer will be required to contact the bondsman. The amounts are often much higher than state bail, and it is often difficult to pay. The magistrate judge decides all conditions for your release, and the bail is determined based on the severity of the crime, your criminal history, and status in the community. While federal bonds in Avon and Indianapolis, IN aren’t often handled by bail bonds agents, if you are able to get help from one, depend on the experienced team at Indiana Bail Bonds. We can be reached by calling 317-423-9300.
What is a federal bail bond
Bail bonds for federal cases like bank robbery are decided by a federal magistrate judge. Federal bail bonds are extremely hard to obtain because these cases aren’t treated like state or local offenses. To obtain bail on a federal case, you have no choice but to face the federal judge in a hearing. That judge is the sole decision-maker when it comes to determining bail and conditions for bail. In federal cases, there are no set bail schedules as there may be in a state case.
How does a federal bail bond work?
While federal bail bonds are different from state bail bonds, once bail is granted, the bond process is in some aspects similar.
- A federal magistrate hears your case.
- The federal judge determines if bail is warranted based on the severity of the crime, your background, and your reputation in the community.
- The judge sets a bail amount based on this information and all conditions of release.
- If you are unable to pay the amount you must have someone act as a co-signer to get you released.
- The co-signer contacts a bail bonds agent like Indiana Bail Bonds experienced with federal bail bonds to arrange to pay the bail.
- Once bail is paid, you are released.
Federal immigration bonds
Technically, although local or state law enforcement may pick someone up on illegal immigration charges, immigration is handled at the federal level through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE. Federal bail bonds for immigration cases are much different than other bail bonds. Unless the judge releases you on your own recognizance, illegal immigrants have two bail bond choices, either a delivery bond or a voluntary departure bond.
A delivery bond is similar to a standard surety bond that must be paid for the detainee’s release. The detainee must receive an arrest warrant and notice of the conditions of custody from ICE to receive a delivery bond. As a condition of the delivery bond, the detainee must appear at all immigration hearings. Voluntary departure bonds are promises by the detainee to voluntarily leave the country by a set date. The departure is made at the immigrant’s expense. The bond amount is returned in full once the immigrant has left the country.
How long do the feds have to pick up a case?
Most federal crimes have a statute of limitations set at five years from the time the crime was committed. Some crimes like arson or defrauding a bank the statute of limitations is 10 years, while art theft is 20 years. Kidnapping or sexual abuse of a child can be the lifetime of the child or 10 years, whichever is longer. Capital offenses or terrorism have no statutes of limitation set.
What are bail bonds used for?
In general, bail bonds allow you to get out of jail after you have been arrested and jailed. A judge sets a bail amount or follows a set bail schedule. To get released, you must pay the bail. Posting bail is a promise to the court that you will return to court at your appointed time. Bond is a portion of the bail paid as a fee to a bail bonds agent to post bail. Federal bail bonds are similar but a bond in federal cases often needs a co-signer.
What are the conditions of being out on bond?
Along with posting bail, you often must fill certain conditions established by the judge for your release. Conditions often include staying in the state in which you were arrested, getting or keeping a job, getting tested for alcohol or drugs, refraining from contacting anyone involved in criminal activity, and reporting to a pre-trial agent to ensure you are meeting these conditions. You must follow all these requirements or risk being jailed until you are tried. Federal bail bonds conditions are often much more restrictive.
Federal bail bondsman
If you are charged with a federal offense and require assistance with federal bail bonds in Avon and Indianapolis, IN, the experienced team to turn to is the one at Indiana Bail Bonds. We offer a full range of bail bonds services. When you need help fast, give us a call at 317-423-9300.