Upon being arrested on criminal charges, the accused may face time in the county jail. Since the court did not release the suspect on his or her own recognizance, the suspect must post bail. Connecticut law establishes the rules and regulations for bail. Defendants may find it helpful to understand the basic points about the Constitution State’s bail laws.
Bail in Connecticut
Connecticut law involves setting bail based on “weighted release criteria.” These factors allow the court to review the circumstances of the arrest and set bail at a reasonable amount. Among these criteria are the type of offense and the defendant’s past history. Someone facing simple assault charges would receive a lower bail amount than someone facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and attempted murder.
Previous history centers on prior convictions and court appearances. Someone with a lengthy history of violent offenses may receive a high bail amount. A defendant who previously did not appear in court might not receive bail.
Family and community ties, along with personal character and employment records, would also factor into the review. Essentially, each person who goes before the court receives an individualized review.
Dealing with the court
As part of the criminal defense strategy, an attorney could argue for a lower bail amount. Defendants have rights, and legal representation is among them. Representation includes more than mounting a defense or plea bargaining. It may also involve matters related to procuring fair and equitable bail amounts.
Those defendants released on bail may benefit from understanding all the terms and conditions associated with a release. Violating the terms might result in a bail revocation. Once bail gets revoked, the defendants would likely return to jail until the trial.
