I was taught long ago that from a client's perspective, bail advocacy is probably one of the most important things an attorney can do for a criminal defendant. Since then, numerous media outlets have reported that a defendant's ability bail out is one of the greatest factors affecting her ability to challenge her case. Although this is may be new to the media, it's pretty much just a matter of common sense and should be known to anyone that deals with the criminal justice system: people plead guilty to get out of jail or get off bail restrictions ALL OF THE TIME.
It's a simple proposition: do what you need to do to get out of jail, get home, get back to work, get back to your kids. So when a defendant is offered a time-served deal or can wait another 6 months for a trial, for a lot of people, there's not really much of a decision to make.
Well, apparently half of Michigan's jail beds are filled by people waiting for trial. It's clear that numerous factors affect how a court sets bail: criminal record, ties to the community, seriousness of offense, etc. But it is also obvious that having an attorney to fight for you is you best chance to have your bail reduced or eliminated. Whether you need to have a curfew removed, get an allowance for a new job, or are trying to get a family member out, talking to and strategizing with an attorney should be your first step.
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