Bail and Bond in Georgia

When you are placed under arrest in Georgia, you may be taken to jail. Depending on the specifics of your charges, the judge in your case may set a bail amount that must be met in order for you to be released before your case proceeds.

What is Bail?

Bail is an amount of money set by the judge at an arraignment that must be posted in order for a defendant to be set free while his or her case is pending. The judge takes many factors into consideration when setting bail, including any prior criminal convictions on your record as well as the specifics of your case.

Bail is often a substantial sum of money, typically in the thousands of dollars. If you are able to, you may to use savings or borrow money from friends or family in order to make your bail amount.

If you are able to post bail, you will be allowed to leave however this does not mean that your case is over. If you fail to appear at any required court appearances, you will forfeit your bail amount and you will be subject to additional penalties. If you appear as required, the amount of your bail will be returned to you.

What is a Bond?

For those who are not able to afford bail, a bond offered by a bondsman or bond agent may be an option. The bond agent will offer the money on your behalf to ensure that you are released from jail, and you will only be required to make a small payment. However, even if you make all of our court appearances, you will still be responsible for paying a nonrefundable fee to your bondsman, which may be approximately 10% of the total bail amount.

Advocacy For Bail and Beyond

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime and are in need of assistance before bail is set, you have the right to speak with an experienced attorney right away. Contact Wadkins & Wallace for immediate help with your case.