Salt Lake Bail Bond Information - Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Salt Lake County, in most cases you are constitutionally entitled to have bail set by the court. The bail amount set by the court will vary greatly depending on whether the case is a misdemeanor or felony, and the specific charges and allegations involved in your case. Bail posted with the court as a cash bail is fully refundable upon the conclusion of the criminal case (assuming that the defendant has appeared at all required court hearings and otherwise complied with the court's orders). But in many cases, the bail amount is higher than the defendant can afford to pay as a cash bail.  Engaging the services of a bail bond company provides just one option for release from jail in Salt Lake County. But fees paid to a bail bond company are normally non-refundable. A bail reduction hearing can sometimes dramatically reduce the amount of the bail. Hiring an experienced Salt Lake criminal attorney may ultimately save you thousands of dollars that you might have paid to a bail bond company. Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation with Utah criminal lawyer Stephen Howard.

Utah law requires a bail bond company to charge a minimum fee of 10% of the full cash amount of the bail set by the criminal court.  The fee charged by the bond company cannot exceed 20% of the full bail amount, plus document preparation and credit card processing fees.

In some cases, the bond company may require a co-signer on the bond. The co-signer may be obligated to repay to full amount of the bond if the bond is forfeited. Courts typically order the forfeiture of a bail bond in Utah criminal cases when the defendant has intentionally failed to appear at a required court hearing. Collateral may also be required by the bond company, often times in the form of a lien against a house or other real property.

In Salt Lake County criminal cases, bail bond companies are only one option available to secure a release from jail while your criminal case is pending. Bail reduction hearings or release through Salt Lake County Pretrial Services can substantially reduce the financial costs associated with your case. As an experienced Salt Lake criminal defense lawyer, Stephen Howard can help you understand your options. Contact us now to arrange for an initial consultation.