In Minnesota, you as a defendant have the liberty to post bail and obtain release (except for when you’re facing charges for certain capital offenses). You might or might not have to appear in front of a judge in order to know you’re being released on bail. You can either post the bail yourself or let a third-party, such as a relative or a bail bonds company do it for you. In short, you have quite a few liberties in Minnesota—but there are things that you won’t be told about directly.
Although you’re technically ‘free’ when you’re out on bail, you need to realize the limits of your freedom and the behavior that’s expected of you. Doing everything right when you’re out on bail makes the process smoother and also eliminates any possible issues with the bail bonds company that you made a contract with.
What Not to Do When Out on Bail
You’re in this situation because you were charged with something illegal—and the one thing that could make your situation even worse is bad behavior when out on bail.
Repeating the same offense is a definitive nail in the coffin—such as if you were in for a DUI charge, don’t drive while intoxicated again. This is specifically important if you’re keen on convincing your jury that you were innocent the first time.
If there are any bail conditions attached, you should follow them religiously. Also, stay away from other felons and known offenders.
Can I Leave the Area When I’m Out on Bail?
This depends on what the judge told you. If you were explicitly told that you cannot leave a particular area while you face pending charges, stay put. Trespassing that designated boundary will land you in trouble. It’ll also make you feel guilty and look like you’re trying to flee. If the judge feels like you’re trying to escape, getting bail in the future will be hard.
What if I Don’t Show Up for Court Hearings When Out on Bail?
This is one of the biggest mistakes you need to avoid making when out on bail. Unless you’re bogged down by severe illness or serious injuries, always show up for your court hearings. Absence will go down poorly with the court and you’ll also lose collateral with the bail bonds company. It’ll also be harder to obtain bail in the future, and you can be arrested again at any moment.
How Do I Make a Contract with a Bail Bonds Company in Minnesota?
The Local Bail Bondsman is a bail bonds company for defendants in Owatonna, Anoka, Albert Lea, and beyond in Minnesota. You can give us a call at (763) 200-5744 or fill out our Bail Bond Request Form with your particulars.
We’ll give you a free bail bond review and help with posting the bail, working out payment plans, and more. We have years of experience with posting bail bonds in Minnesota and can guide you post-release to help secure your future.
