A person facing criminal charges in Utah will normally have a constitutionally guaranteed right to have a reasonable bail amount set by the court. Posting a cash bail is just one option for securing a defendant’s release while a criminal case is pending. Other options may be available that can sometimes make more sense.
Consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney is strongly advised before you make any bail bond decision. In some cases, an attorney may be able to save you more money in bail bond fees than what it may cost to hire the attorney to handle the entire case.
This page contains general information on bail bonds and other release options in Utah. Contact us today for information and advice relating to your specific circumstances. See what the right attorney can do for you.
Alternatives to Posting Cash Bail
Both the United States Constitution and the Utah State Constitution guarantee a person charged with a crime the right to “reasonable bail.” But what may seem “reasonable” to a judge or prosecutor may not seem reasonable to the person stuck in jail.
Posting cash bail carries the significant advantage of being refundable at the conclusion of the court case – assuming that the defendant has appeared at all required court appearances. If the initial bail amount ordered by the court is too high to post as cash, other options should be considered.
Bail Bond Companies
Bail bond companies provide one of the most common alternatives to cash bail. By law, a bail bond company must charge no less than 10% and no more than 20% of the full cash bail amount as a fee for posting a bail bond on behalf of the defendant.
Bail bond companies will typically also charge document preparation fees, credit card processing fees, and fees to recoup processing charges from the court or jail. In many cases, a bail bond company will require a co-signer who agrees to assume liability for the full bond amount if the court orders the bond forfeited for a defendant’s failure to appear in court. The bail bond company may also require collateral, often in the form of a lien on a home or other real estate.
Own Recognizance or “O.R.” Release
In some cases, the court may be persuaded to order
Pre-Trial Services Release
Salt Lake County utilizes a pre-trial release program to ease overcrowding issues at the Salt Lake County Jail.
Get the right legal help.
Contact us directly by calling 801-449-1409 to see how an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you.