There’s no doubt that your goal once that jail door slams shut on you is to post bail and go home as fast as possible. However, did you know that automatic bond isn’t an option for some offenses? Here’s a look at bailable vs. non-bailable crimes.
Bailable Offenses
You’ll automatically have the opportunity to get out of jail on bail if charged with what is known as a bailable offense. In general, crimes that come under this category tend to be less severe and carry a relatively light potential prison sentence. Examples of bailable charges typically include
- Theft
- DUI
- Drug
- Trespass
The good news is that when charged with an offense classified as a bailable offense, you have a constitutional right to bail in Pennsylvania.
Types Of Bail
There are several types of bond used in Pennsylvania. For example, defendants who face minor offenses can sign a written agreement to appear at all court proceedings, known as a Release on Recognizance, and leave jail without posting any money.
Sometimes the court grants release on bail if a defendant agrees to comply with court-imposed conditions. This type of bail bond is called Release on Non-monetary Conditions.
A Release on an Unsecured Bail Bond lets a defendant walk out of jail after signing an agreement to pay a specified amount of money if the defendant fails to show up at all legal proceedings. The benefit of this type of bail is that the defendant doesn’t need to pay any money to obtain release from jail and will only need to pay for the bail bond if they try to run away from the charges.
A defendant might also get lucky and find themselves eligible for a Release on Nominal Bail where the bail bond might be as inexpensive as a few dollars.
Gibson Bail Bonds usually gets a phone call from defendants who learn that going home depends on coming up with sufficient funds to secure a Release on Monetary Condition. We’re always here to help you if you end up with a bailable offense that requires a significant amount of cash to post bond.
Non-Bailable Offenses
Some offenses are considered severe enough that you won’t necessarily have a bail amount set by the court. Unlike with bailable crimes, you don’t have the right to post bail in Pennsylvania if you’re facing (1) capital charges, (2) the possibility of life in prison, or (3) you’re considered a risk to a person or society at large.
The significant difference between bailable vs. non-bailable offenses is that you don’t have a right to bail for non-bailable charges. Now, that doesn’t mean that bail is impossible if charged with a non-bailable offense. Instead, it means that you’ll have to go in front of a judge to ask for the privilege of bail.
One of the first things that you’ll hear about after hearing your rights is how bailable vs. non-bailable offenses will impact your ability to go home to your family. Rest assured that Gibson Bail Bonds is ready to get you out of jail fast as soon as we learn your bail conditions. Contact us today for a speedy exit from your jail cell.
