5 Ways You Can Prepare For Your Bond Hearing
If your criminal charges have resulted in a bond hearing, it is likely to be one of the most important court appearances you will make. Ensuring that you are adequately prepared for this hearing can significantly improve your chances of receiving the outcome you desire.
If you are facing charges for a “bailable offense” (the list of bailable offenses can be found in Georgia Code § 17-6-1), you could be required to appear before a judge during a bond hearing. The sooner you start preparing for the bond hearing, the better. Our Georgia bond hearings lawyers at Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers help clients navigate all stages of the criminal justice process, including bond hearings.
5 Tips When Preparing for the Bond Hearing
To ensure that you are well-prepared for your bond hearing, here are five tips that can help you prepare for success.
1. Hire a Lawyer
Having an experienced attorney by your side throughout the entire process is essential. An experienced lawyer will be able to advise you on how best to present yourself before the judge, as well as how to build a strong case in your defense. It’s important to note that while hiring a lawyer is not required by law, it is highly recommended if you want the best possible outcome at your bond hearing.
2. Gather Evidence in Your Defense
Your lawyer will be able to provide advice on what evidence should be gathered and presented at your hearing in order to provide the strongest argument possible. The evidence should include any documents or records relevant to your case, such as police reports, witness statements, and other records related to your arrest and detention. Furthermore, having character references from family or friends may also prove beneficial in some cases.
3. Present Mitigating Factors, If Applicable
If there are any mitigating factors associated with your case (e.g., extenuating circumstances that may reduce potential penalties or sentences), these should be presented before the judge during your bond hearing as well. Be sure to discuss these factors with your attorney so they can properly argue on behalf of any mitigating factors associated with your case prior to the start of proceedings.
4. Be Respectful
When appearing before a judge at a bond hearing, it’s essential that you remain respectful and courteous throughout all proceedings—no matter how difficult things get or how frustrated you might feel at times. Remember that first impressions are important. Thus, behaving appropriately and presenting yourself professionally is vital if you want to leave a good impression on both the judge and those present at the hearing.
5. Consider Your Options for Paying the Bond
In most cases, bail bondsmen will require some sort of collateral from defendants who seek their services. This could include cash deposits or other forms of property (such as cars). However, if paying bail through a bondsman isn’t an option for you due to financial constraints or other reasons, there may be other ways for paying bond amounts set by judges during hearings. Be sure to consider all available options with your lawyer prior to proceeding with payments/collateral arrangements.
Contact Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers to Get Legal Guidance
Appearing before a judge for a bond hearing can be intimidating but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming if adequate preparation has been made beforehand. By following these five tips, individuals who appear before courts seeking release from custody can improve their chances of achieving successful outcomes during bond hearings.
Reach out to our lawyers at Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers to get legal guidance in preparing for your bond hearing. We serve the accused throughout the state of Georgia, including Alpharetta, Cobb County, Dunwoody, Gwinnett County, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Fulton County, and Johns Creek. Call 770-685-6400 to get a free case evaluation.
