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Determining Bond in Maryland DUI Cases

A bond is a guarantee. It is a way that the court can assure that a person will return to court by way of collateral. A bond can be money or some other surety like property or a vehicle, access to an account, a lien, and things of that nature that a person promises to pay or give up if they do not show up for their court date as scheduled.

To determine how bond is relevant in your Maryland DUI case, it is crucial that you consult with an experienced DUI lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can best advise you on how to legally handle your DUI charge.

Determining the Amount

The bond amount in Maryland DUI cases are determined based on an evaluation of a person’s criminal record, their ties to the community, the seriousness of the offense being charged, their prior history, failure to appear before the court, and other similar factors.

Posting Bond

Bond in a Maryland DUI case can be posted in many different ways, financially with cash directly or with wire transfers from bank accounts. Sometimes, credit cards are used or vehicles are put up as collateral. Even homes can be put up with the appropriate documentation and there is equity in the value of the home. There are different ways a bond can be posted directly with the commissioner.

Another common way to post bonds is by using a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen offer an opportunity for somebody to pay a percentage of the bond to that bondsman as a fee in exchange for the bail bond in the full amount. If a $50,000 bond must be posted, a bail bondsman might take $5,000 as their fee and put up the remaining amount in an effort to secure the release of a family member.

Posting bond in a Maryland DUI case is a complicated process and is not straightforward. Often, posting a percentage bond in the court with a bail bondsman can be confusing as are the documents one needs to post a bond.

It is important to contact a defense attorney who has knowledge of the bond system in any particular county and can determine the best course of action on behalf of their client. The attorney can help an individual navigate the complex issues that bondsmen sometimes present.

Pre-Trial Release

Pre-trial release is an opportunity for a person to be monitored after they are released from jail. An employee of the county checks on that person periodically to make sure they are not getting into any more trouble and not hurting themselves or anybody else.

The agent makes sure the person is participating in any required drug or alcohol education, anger management, or whatever might be ordered with pre-trial release. They verify that the person is compliant with release conditions pending their trial date.

Often, when a person is not compliant with pre-trial release, a notice is sent to the judge by their pre-trial supervision agent. The notice has the judge calling for another hearing. At that hearing, the judge determines whether the person can remain out on pre-trial or is incarcerated again and has their bond and pre-trial conditions revoked.

Release from Jail

A person usually receives charging documents associated with the criminal offense as well as bond paperwork associated with their Maryland DUI case. This provides an individual a notice of future hearings, and the person is advised of their right to counsel. The person is encouraged to reach out to a lawyer who can evaluate the circumstances of the case.

Importance of a Lawyer

A DUI attorney can help a person navigate the complex nuances associated with DUI cases including constitutional issues that could invalidate the arrest or any breathalyzer test taken by police officers.

Additionally, an attorney can help choose the appropriate forum, and understand the temperaments of judges and prosecutors so the best arguments for criminal charges can be presented in court.

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