Most people don’t know that there are several different bail options in the legal system, such as a personal recognizance bond (PR bond). This option allows a defendant to be released from jail without having to post bail. To many people, this is effectively a “get out of jail free” card, but it’s not as simple as it might seem and there are some conditions and criteria that you need to follow. In this post, we’ll explain what a PR bond is and help you determine if it’s the right option for your circumstances.
Understanding Personal Recognizance Bonds
A personal recognizance bond allows an individual to leave jail without having to pay a financial sum. Instead of money, the defendant has to sign a written agreement (a recognizance) that promises they will appear in court for all of the scheduled hearings and proceedings related to their case. It’s essentially a written promise that you will show up to court.
Eligibility for a Personal Recognizance Bond
A personal recognizance bond isn’t available for everyone and is generally considered a rarity. Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds can help you fight to obtain a PR bond, but it’s not guaranteed and will require some fairly specific circumstances to be accepted.
For instance, if the court’s initial assessment of your case is positive, then they may deem you as a low flight risk. This means that you’re unlikely to skip town and run away from the authorities, and you’re also very likely to appear in court in the first place.
Flight Risk
There are a number of things that will determine if someone is a flight risk or not, such as their ties to the local community, where their family lives and the connections they have, and also their employment status. Someone who lives with their family, has ties to the community, and is employed locally will be less likely to skip town than someone who is from a neighboring state. As such, this person would be considered to have a low flight risk.
Severity of the Offense
The severity of the offense will also be taken into consideration. If the offense was non-violent and has low risk to the public, then the court may label you as being a low flight risk. However, if you were arrested for a violent crime, then both your flight risk and bail amount will rise.
Past Record
Your past record will also be considered. Those that have a history of appearing in court or being arrested will likely have higher bail amounts and be less likely to obtain a PR bond. However, if it’s your first offense and you’ve had no other charges, then you are more likely to be granted a PR bond
Age and Health
And finally, your age and health will play a role too. Those who may pose a risk to themselves in jail may be granted a PR bond to ensure that their health doesn’t deteriorate in jail.
Benefits of a Personal Recognizance Bond
A personal recognizance bond has several advantages over a traditional bond.
- No financial payment required. One of the biggest advantages of a PR bond is that you don’t need to worry about financial payments. Since your bail amount is effectively zero, you won’t need to make arrangements with a bail bond agent, and you don’t need to pay the courts either.
- Presumed innocence. In most cases, someone that has been granted a personal recognizance bond will be seen in a good light by the courts. You will likely have a low flight risk and the courts will be more keen to let you off with minimal charges if you successfully follow the terms of your PR bond.
- Maintain life stability. If you’re unable to post bail, then you’ll likely be stuck in jail and be unable to see your family, go to work, or take care of your usual responsibilities. A personal recognizance bond will ensure that you’re able to maintain life stability without needing to pay a substantial financial sum, be it the entire bail amount to the court or a bail bond fee to an agent.
If the option is available to you, then it’s almost always better to take a personal recognizance bond offer. However, there are a couple of conditions that you should be aware of.
Common Misconceptions About Personal Recognizance Bonds
Although personal recognizance bonds seem like they have no disadvantages, there are a couple of misconceptions that you need to be aware of before you decide to take the offer.
Not Everyone is Eligible
Unfortunately, some people will be immediately denied a PR bond offer, such as if they have a criminal history or if their residence is outside the state in which they were arrested.
Delayed Jail Release
Before being released from jail, you’ll have to participate in an interview. You’ll be asked several questions to determine if you’re able to receive a PR bond offer, and you may be asked to secure references that will confirm your ability to appear in court. The difficulty here is that you’ll be at the mercy of the judiciary system’s schedule, meaning you could be waiting a long time in jail before you’re requested for an interview.
To add to the complications, a PR bond is granted by a judge, meaning they will have to personally offer it to you. On the contrary, working with a bail bond service means you can submit your own approval and be released whenever you’re ready.
Contact Us for More Information
If you’d like to learn more about PR bonds and if they’re right for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts at Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds. We’ll help inform you of the right decision to make and assist you in securing a PR bond.
