Upsetting as an arrest is, you will be more upset when you cannot interact with your family, go to work, or do the things you love. Luckily, you can secure pretrial release on bail. Bail is the amount you pay to the court to secure your release and serve as collateral for your court appearance.

The courts determine eligibility as well as bail amount you have to pay during a bail hearing. You can represent yourself in a bail hearing or have your defense attorney represent you. If you intend to use a bail bonds service, the bail agent can also attend your bail hearing.

The Express Bail Bonds serves residents of Las Vegas by providing bail bonds. We help you fund your bail when you cannot raise the full bail amount. We can attend the bail hearing to ensure we finalize the payment of the bail bond as soon as possible.

Bail Hearings Overview

A bail hearing is a formal legal proceeding during which the court determines your eligibility for bail and the amount to pay. Such a hearing could also include proceedings to request release on own cognizance or reduction of the amount of bail.

Bail hearings in Las Vegas are similar to a criminal court proceeding in terms of presentation of evidence to support your argument. However, they can be as brief as a few minutes.  

During the hearing, your attorney will present evidence that shows you are neither a threat to the community nor a flight risk. The attorney can present witnesses and supporting evidence. Some of the evidence includes:

  • Your employment (including how long you have been employed) your employer can also testify about your character
  • Your ties to the community and family including proof of residence
  • Your criminal history and record (your attorney can use your limited or non-existent criminal record to negotiate for release on your own cognizance or a lower bail amount)
  • You have not been arrested or convicted for a serious or violent crime
  • Evidence that you are not on probation
  • You have a good reputation
  • You did not have any weapons at the time of your arrest
  • You are not a threat to the community or the victim(s) of the alleged crime
  • Your court attendance history (where applicable)

The evidence must be compelling enough to convince the judge that the court should release you on bail, or even better, grant you an OR release.

During the hearing, the judge will consult the bail schedule for Nevada to determine how much you should pay. Other considerations will include your criminal history and the circumstances of the offense.

The bail schedule classifies offense based on their seriousness and the imprisonment period. The court may also enhance the bail (increase the amount you have to pay) if:

  • You allegedly committed a felony offense on school property
  • You used a child in the commission of a felony crime
  • You used a gun with metal penetrating bullets
  • You used a deadly weapon when committing the crime
  • You committed the offense against a vulnerable person or an older person ( at least 60 years)
  • You committed a Nevada hate crime or an act of terrorism
  • You committed the crime in furtherance of gang activities

Bail, if awarded, serves as the security to ensure you appear in court. If you fail to appear, the court might forfeit the bail and reissue an arrest warrant.

Possible Outcomes of a Bail Hearing

A bail hearing has several outcomes depending on the evidence you present and the judge’s decision. The outcome could be:

  • Release on own cognizance: OR release occurs when the court releases you with a written agreement to return to court on the said date. The court awards this form of release to defendants with strong ties to the community, no criminal history, and is not a flight risk.
  • The court releases you on bail: the court will determine the amount you should pay. You can then pay the whole amount in cash or hire a bail bond agent.
  • The court reduces the bail amount: defense attorneys can use bail hearings to negotiate the reduction of the bail amount. In such cases, the attorney presents evidence that proves you cannot afford to pay the set amount. Other evidence or negotiation tactics would include proving that the amount set is too high for the alleged crime.
  • The court denies you bail: the court has the reservation to deny you bail. In such a case, you will remain in custody until the end of the criminal case against you. Alternatively, your attorney could request another bail hearing to negotiate your release from jail.

If the court releases you on bail, you can post the full amount in cash through a cashier's check, money order, or a Visa or MasterCard payment. You can also hire a bail bond agent to bail you out.

The court might also require you to comply with several conditions while out on bail. These conditions include:

  • Avoiding contact with certain people including victims of the crime
  • Adhering to curfew requirements
  • Refraining from the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Notifying the court of any changes in your address and phone number
  • Obeying the law
  • Maintaining regular contact with the court and your bail agent
  • Remain in Las Vegas
  • Appear in court for all your hearings

Find a Bail Bond Agent Near Me

An arrest is a stressful event that can disrupt many activities in your life. However, courts allow you to secure a pretrial release through bail. Bail hearings in Las Vegas typically happen during an arraignment and sometimes, at any stage of the criminal proceedings. The time you post bail will depend on the hours of availability of the jail facility in which you are booked; therefore, having an agent nearby is crucial.

At the Express Bail Bonds, we help you in securing bail, especially if you cannot afford the full amount. If you have to commit your money elsewhere, we represent you and help you out of jail. With a ten percent deposit and security, you can have your bail paid and rejoin your family within hours of the hearing. Contact us today at 702-633-2245.