
Photo from Pexels
Although when you’re accused, you’re presumed innocent until proven guilty, judge benches require an incentive to guarantee that you show up in your court proceedings. That incentive is bail.
In short, bail is a provisional release in exchange for money until your case concludes. Nonetheless, it isn’t guaranteed. It would help if you avoided certain things to gain this temporary freedom.
Falsify Your Name
Although it’s tempting to falsify your name—perhaps you don’t want to get into the system or have law enforcement officers look into your past— please don’t do it. Once the officers know you gave a false name, they’ll dig for more dirt. Besides, your bail application will face opposition in court as the officers would want to cross-check every detail you submitted.
Giving your real name is a sure way of gaining the officers’ trust. Even if you’ll face the consequences, it’s better than having the courts cancel your bail rights.
Faking Your Address
Similar to falsifying your name, giving a fake address might imply that you’ve got something to hide. Even worse, it will give the impression that you want to run away following your release and you’re a flight risk.
If you don’t have a permanent residence or address, notify the police. Offer your family or friends’ address, if necessary.
The judge would want to know where you reside so that the police can easily find you when you don’t appear in court. Since they’ll validate your address, offer the most accurate one.
Attempt Fleeing or Running Away
As previously stated, bail only temporarily releases you from jail and ensures that you show up for the hearings. If you decide to hide from the police or flee during the hearing, you show the courts that you’re a high flight risk. Thus the courts will not grant you bail—you’ll remain in custody until your case concludes.
You’ll limit your chances of getting freedom if you hide from the police. Report to the station immediately if you learn that the police are searching for you during the bail hearing. Alternatively, have your lawyer contact the law enforcement officer investigating your case.
Remember that you’ll create doubts with your bond co-signer when you try fleeing. And so, even if they have initiated contact with Bail Hotline, a Bail Bonds in Bakersfield company, for a streamlined bail disbursement process, they might change their minds. You risk losing a collateral-free and easy payment bail bond.
Give the Police a Hard Time
If the situation is too tough for the cops, they’ll make things too difficult for you. It is essential to differentiate between the case’s merits and necessary processes.
And so, make yourself available for questioning. Nonetheless, if the law enforcement officers require intricate details about your crime, seek legal counsel first. You have the legal right to request the presence of a criminal defense attorney before answering questions about the actual offense. Please don’t do it alone; you risk incriminating yourself.
Threaten Law Enforcement or Witnesses
While you must be disappointed with your arrest and get overly stressed, don’t get tempted to assault a law enforcement officer or threaten a witness. This is strictly prohibited.
Among the most critical considerations for bail is demonstrating that you do not threaten the criminal justice system or witnesses. Threatening witnesses also proves that you’re a danger to society. Thus, the courts won’t risk releasing you until your case is resolved.
No matter how angry or disappointed you are, try to hide your emotions since some emotional outbursts can be used against you in court.
Hide Evidence or Impede an Investigation
If caught actively destroying or concealing evidence, you will face significant consequences. Law enforcement officers will use this against your bail application. If the court accepts this evidence, it will likely deny your bail request.
For instance, if you own a gun, the police are already aware of it since they have access to a database containing this data. And so, if they ask you if you own one, respond affirmatively. Being deceptive will only diminish your prospects of getting bail.
Although this article has pinpointed aspects that can influence your bail, the list is inconclusive. The underlying thing is to ensure you’re on your best behavior. You must maintain honesty and uprightness till your case concludes.