Bail Bond Information -
Utah Criminal Lawyer
Bail
bond companies in Utah provide just one option for securing your
release
from jail while a criminal case against you is pending. Before posting
bail through a Utah bond company, you should understand that
fees
paid to a bail bondsman are typically
non-refundable. Speaking with an
experienced
Utah criminal attorney
will help you determine if other less expensive options are available to you.
Based in Salt Lake City, criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard provides
legal services to clients throughout Utah.
Contact us today for an
initial consultation.
How much does it cost to use a bail bond company in Utah?

Under
Utah law, a bail bond company is required to charge a minimum fee of
10% of the full cash bail amount of an arrest warrant issued by a Utah
court. For example, if a $50,000 arrest warrant has been
issued,
a Utah bail bonds company must charge a minimum fee of $5,000 to post a
bond on behalf of the defendant. The fee cannot exceed 20% of
the
full cash bail amount, but the bail bond company is allowed to charge
additional fees for document preparation, credit card processing, and
other processing fees or costs imposed the jail or court.
Depending
on the nature of the case and the amount of the cash bail, Utah bail
bond companies may also require a co-signer on the bond. The
co-signer may be required to repay the full value of the bond if the
court orders that the bond be forfeited. Forfeiture of the
bail
bond typically occurs in a Utah criminal case if the defendant fails to
appear at all required court hearings. In some cases, a Utah
bondsman may also require collateral before issuing the bond.
Other Options for Release in a Utah Criminal Case
Depending on the nature of the charge, your prior criminal record (or
lack thereof), which court your case is filed in, and other factors,
there may be other less expensive options available to you for
obtaining a release
from jail. In some cases, a
bail reduction
may allow you to post a refundable cash bail. In other cases, you may
be found eligible for an
OR (own
recognizance) release. If your case is filed in Salt Lake County, you
may be eligible for supervised release through
Salt Lake
County Pre-Trial Services.
Before
speaking with a Utah bail bond company, you should discuss your options
with an
experienced Utah
criminal
defense attorney. Doing so could save
you thousands of dollars.
Finding a Utah Criminal Attorney in Salt Lake City
Based in Salt Lake City,
criminal defense attorney
Stephen Howard provides services to clients throughout Utah. He has
successfully protected clients' rights in thousands of serious
felony
and
misdemeanor
cases ranging from homicide and aggravated felonies to
drug possession
and
retail
theft.
Contact us today to
schedule an initial consultation.