Applying for Bail? Avoid These Mistakes

If you’ve been arrested, you may be able to get out of jail while your case goes through the legal system by posting bail. Yes, if you pay a certain amount of money to the court or a bail bondsman, you’ll be released until your trial or other hearing date. But what happens if you make mistakes when applying for bail? You might have to stay in jail longer than you should or even miss your trial altogether because the judge thinks you’re likely to skip out on it if let out of jail. We, the expert criminal lawyers in Sydney, have listed the most common mistakes to avoid when applying for bail.

Not Knowing All the Details

One of the biggest mistakes people make when applying for bail is not knowing all the details of their case. This can lead to problems down the road, so you must take the time to learn as much as you can about your charges and your options before making any decisions.

Lying

Remember, it’s important to be honest when applying for bail. Lying to the court, even if it’s a small lie, can result in your bail being denied or revoked. In addition, if you’re caught lying, you could also be charged with perjury, which is a serious crime.

What are the different types of bail conditions?

Some bail conditions are about things you must do or must not do. This type of bail condition is called a ‘conduct requirement’. Some examples of conduct requirements are

■ report to police every day

■ live at a specific address

■ surrender your passport

■ not associate with specific people (this means not go near or talk to those people)

■ not go within a certain distance of a specific place (e.g. within 500 metres of the shopping centre)

■ obey a curfew.

Other types of bail conditions are generally only imposed if conduct requirements are not enough. Seek assistance from criminal law firms to guide you through the bail process.

Using the Wrong Address When Posting Bail

If you use the wrong address when posting bail, your money could be sent to the wrong place, and you might not get it back. Plus, the court might not be able to find you if you move without updating your address. To avoid this mistake, double-check the address on your bail paperwork before sending anything in.

Getting Arrested During Bail Period

If you're arrested during your bail period, you may have to start the criminal law Sydney process all over again. Plus, you'll likely have to come up with more money for bail, and deal with any additional charges that may have been filed against you. To avoid this, don't break the law while on bail. Pay attention to those court-mandated restrictions too (e.g. staying away from children), so there's no way they can say you’ve violated them.

When to Hire a Criminal Lawyer? Watch Out For These Signs

When you're facing criminal charges, you may start to wonder whether you need to hire a criminal lawyer Australia or if you can manage the situation on your own. You may think that a lawyer is too expensive or unnecessary, but seeking the assistance of a criminal barrister is one of the first things you need to do when you’re facing criminal charges. In fact, several signs indicate you need to hire a criminal lawyer. If you’re not sure when to hire a criminal lawyer, watch out for these signs.

Get Arrested

Getting arrested for a crime is often an indicator that you’re guilty of said crime. But getting arrested does not necessarily mean you’re guilty. In some cases, police arrest people for trumped-up charges in order to bully them into confessing. Don’t take an arrest as evidence that you need a criminal lawyer, but do take it as evidence that you might want one on your side.

Been Accused of a Crime

If you’ve been accused of a crime, whether it’s driving under the influence, or embezzlement, you’ll want to consult with a Sydney criminal and traffic lawyers ASAP. The outcome of your case depends on two factors: whether you were actually responsible for committing the crime and how good your lawyer is. If you haven’t done anything wrong, you can rest easy knowing your lawyer has got your back.

Something Is Wrong With Your Charge

It’s probably time to hire a criminal lawyer if you’ve been formally charged with some type of crime and are under investigation by police. Don’t go through it alone: Retain legal counsel as soon as possible!

Can’t Afford Court Fines

In many states, if you are found guilty of an offense, even misdemeanours and minor traffic violations, you can be fined hundreds or thousands of dollars. If you can’t afford to pay those fines on your own, however, it’s better not to plead guilty. Instead, look for criminal law firms that will work with you to protect your interests and help reduce your fines.

Don’t Know How to Deal With Legal Issues

In some situations, you might not be able to resolve legal issues on your own. Maybe it’s because you’re facing an incredibly complicated legal matter, or maybe you just don’t have time in your schedule. Either way, if you feel like you don’t know how to deal with something or what steps need to be taken next, it might be time for a lawyer.