When a person is arrested or “booked” into jail in a Utah criminal case, there are a number of options for obtaining the defendant’s release while the criminal case is pending.  As an experienced Utah criminal attorney, Stephen Howard can help ensure that a release is secured in the most efficient, cost-effective way.  An “OR” (own recognizance) release is the cheapest, least restrictive means of release.

In most Utah criminal cases, a person is constitutionally entitled to have a reasonable bail amount set by the court.  Article I Section 9 of the Utah Constitution prohibits “excessive” bail amounts.  But what is considered “excessive” bail can depend on a number of factors, including: the type of crime charged, the defendant’s prior criminal history, the number of charges pending against the defendant, injuries alleged to have been caused by the defendant, or other considerations determined by the court to be relevant.

Your criminal defense attorney may be able to convince the court to allow your release from jail without posting a cash bail or going through a bail bond company.  An unsupervised release which is not secured by bail or a bail bond is sometimes called an “OR” or “own recognizance” release.  In determining whether to release a defendant on his/her own recognizance, a judge may look at a variety of considerations, including a defendant’s ties to the community, work history, family support, and factors indicating whether or not the defendant poses a safety risk to the alleged victim or the community at large.

If a court declines to allow an own recognizance release, other options available for release from jail can include posting a cash bail, obtaining a bail bond, or a supervised release.  Stephen Howard has the experience to help successfully guide you through the various options for obtaining your release from jail.

If you have an outstanding warrant, or if a friend or loved one has been arrested on criminal charges in Utah, contact us today for an initial consultation.