EL Paso Bail Reduction Attorney

If you or a loved one was arrested for a crime, a court will likely set bail, which is an amount of money you must pay to secure your release from jail while your trial is pending. And while the bail amount cannot be excessive, it might be beyond your financial means to satisfy. If you were subject to a high bail amount, you may be able to seek a reduction. Doing so requires that you present evidence during a detention hearing to support your assertion that your bail is too high. To build a compelling argument, you need a skilled attorney on your side.

At the Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, our experienced bail reduction lawyer in El Paso can provide the legal help you need to seek release from jail. We can review the details of your case, including the crime you were accused of committing and how bail was set, to work toward getting your amount lowered. Our team knows how important it is to be out of police custody while working on a defense for your case, which is why we will work relentlessly to seek a favorable result for you. Additionally, when you choose our team, not only can we fight to have your bail reduced lowered, but we can also represent you in your criminal matter. Thus, after you've posted bond and have been released from jail, you won't have to spend additional time looking for a criminal defense lawyer.

To learn about your bail reduction options, call us at (915) 308-8850 or contact us online today. We offer a free initial consultation.

What Is Bail and How Is It Set?

In a criminal case, a court will require the defendant to pay bail to secure pre-trial release. Because people accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven otherwise, bail helps ensure that an innocent person is not denied their liberties while their case is still ongoing. It also serves as a guarantee to the court that the defendant will return for all scheduled court dates. After their case concludes, the money they put up is returned to them. However, if they fail to appear in court, the amount is forfeit, meaning it's not given back.

A judge determines the amount of bail. It's supposed to be high enough that the defendant will return to court, but not so high that it's considered excessive (the U.S. Constitution provides that defendants in criminal cases cannot be subject to excessive bail).

The judge will consider several factors when deciding on a bail amount, including but not limited to:

• The severity of the offense: Generally, the bail amount is higher for more serious crimes.
• The defendant's criminal history: If the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense, they're more likely to be subject to a higher bail amount than if they had a clean record.
• The defendant's risk to the community: If the judge decides that the defendant's release from jail will endanger the alleged victim or the community as a whole, they'll set a higher bail amount.
• The defendant's flight risk: If the judge believes that the defendant will skip town and not show up for their scheduled court dates, they may set a higher bail amount to increase the financial stakes for failing to appear.

Requesting a Bail Reduction

When bail is set at a high amount, it could be difficult for some defendants to pay, which means they must sit in jail until their court date. Fortunately, they can request a hearing to seek to reduce the amount of bail. During the proceeding, they must present evidence to prove to the judge that bail is too high, and they need it lowered. At the same time, the prosecutor might argue that bail should remain where it is.

If you're seeking to have your bail amount reduced, speak with the Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz about your case. Our El Paso bond attorney can determine whether your constitutional rights have been violated and can also build a compelling case to work toward a bail reduction.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Being in custody during your criminal case can make it challenging to develop a defense against your charge. When you're out on bail, you can more readily access your lawyer and more effectively discuss the specifics of your circumstances in the privacy of your own home. At the Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, we understand this. That is why we will fight hard for you. Our bail reduction lawyer in El Paso can seek a lower amount and deliver the aggressive representation you need to fight your criminal charge.

We are prepared to get started on your case. Contact us at (915) 308-8850 today.