How to Get a Personal Recognizance Bond
How to get a personal recognizance bond or OR bond is one of the first questions asked when someone is arrested. One of the first concerns of anyone who has been arrested is bailing out of jail. When someone will be eligible for bail can vary. Judges evaluate defendants before determining a bond amount. Some of these things include:
- Case details
- prior criminal history
- prior court attendance
- severity of the crime
Judges are not inclined to use valuable court time to pursue weak or petty criminal cases. The defendant’s prior criminal history is not used unless they have a pattern of failing to appear for court when ordered. Individuals who are arrested on small level charges are commonly released with a small cash only bond. Each case is different when it comes to deciding a bond. OR bonds are typical, but rarely given.
Pretrial Interview
All defendants are interviewed by an officer who will ask specific questions and access the defendant’s personal criminal record. While past criminal history is not applied to deciding bond on a new charge, a record of failure to appear in court can prevent an OR bond being given. The officer will then make a suggestion to the judge based on the information.
Qualifying for OR
Own recognizance bond is rarely allowed for serious criminal charges, especially in larger cities that test all defendants. Many times small court systems are run by individuals who already have stable personal relationships, sometimes because of a prior court record. Bond is only associated with the likelihood the defendant will appear in court as directed. OR bonds are typically given to people will smaller offenses to help with over crowding in jail. Location and local court policy can matter significantly.
If you have questions regarding bail contact Signature Bail Bonds at 918-592-5400.
