The Process Of Getting Released In A Federal Case

Federal court runs similar to regular state courts, but it can be different in a few key ways. One of the ways a federal case may be handled different is with the bond hearing. Federal courts do not handle bail exactly the same way as a regular state court. It is still possible to get released if you have been charged, but there are a few steps needed for a defendant to get released from prison.

Procure a Good Lawyer

Federal cases can be very difficult to beat. When the federal government pursues a case, it's usually because they believe they have a lot of evidence to support the charges. This is why you need a lawyer who has specifically handled your type of federal case. He or she will be able to help you in each stage of the trial, including helping you understand the possibility of getting released. A lawyer will be able to help you or a family member who is charged get a pretrial bond hearing to discuss getting released prior to your case moving forward. Without a lawyer, your bond hearing could get delayed for a long time.

Pretrial Bond Hearing

In state courts, the release of someone may be based mostly on past criminal history and whether or not someone is likely to attend their trial. Federal courts aren't looking necessarily at financial motives to get someone to return for their hearing, they are going to look at various restrictions that make it more than likely that a defendant will return. If the charges are serious for a repeat offender, then it may be difficult to get any kind of release granted. Your lawyer can help the court in the process of determining what your release conditions will be, and that may include a bail amount that is reasonably possible for you to come up with.

Getting Bail Bonds

Bail bonds in federal cases are not given with any kind of security. With regular court cases, you would put up some sort of percentage of the bail amount or some sort of collateral. In a federal bail situation, you would simply sign a promissory note called a signature bond, which would give you funds that are not secured. A bail company may want a signature from someone you know who is also on the hook for the loan if your financial circumstances are shaky, especially without the requirement of collateral. 

By getting a lawyer to help you with a pretrial bond hearing, you'll be able to get access to federal bail bonds. Your lawyer can help you find a signature bond that will cover your bail amount. Understanding the process will help you get released as soon as possible.