When a loved one has been arrested and charged with a crime, the family members start trying to figure out how to secure his or her release from jail. If they cannot afford the cash bail, they have the option of applying for a bail bond in Upper Marlboro, MD. They may never have heard of a bail bonding agency before and may worry about how reputable and trustworthy these organizations are.
Licensing Requirements
It’s reassuring to learn that any agencies issuing a bail bond in Upper Marlboro, MD must be licensed by the state. Each state has its own requirements for the license and future renewals. Some of those requirements might include bail agents completing continuing education courses and not being convicted of a felony. For the initial license, an exam and a criminal background check may be required.
Fee Regulation
In addition, state laws set limits on the fees that these agencies can charge. People reaching out to a bonding agency for help often feel desperate with their loved one behind bars. Anyone wanting to apply for a bond may contact us to get started.
The Code of Criminal Procedure
Men and women who are really interested in the fundamentals of the bail and bail bonds processes might look up documents like the code of criminal procedure for their particular jurisdiction or the one in which their relative is being held. These documents are readily found online, although the legal wording can be quite technical.
The Eighth Amendment
The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides the foundation for defendants to be released on bail. The Constitution specifies that defendants are not to be held in detention without being charged with a crime and that bail is not to be excessive.
Judges do have the authority to deny bail if the defendant has a prior criminal history, which indicates a greater risk that he or she will commit another offense while out on bail or bond. Bail commonly is denied for the most serious crimes, including murder. However, a defendant might be released on bail even for serious criminal charges, depending on the circumstances.
