Bail Las Vegas: Arrest & Before Posting Bail

As in most places, in Las Vegas bail bonds can only be issued after a series of events take place following an arrest. An arrest occurs when police or law enforcement officers suspect someone of a crime and the suspect is brought to a Las Vegas area booking station for processing. At this point in the arrest, the suspect will generally be advised of the charges against them.
The law enforcement officials will typically record information about the crime, in addition to basic information about the suspect. During this booking, the defendant has their mug shot and fingerprints taken. A background check is also performed on the suspect. Any of the suspect’s personal property will be held until they are released. At this point, the suspect will also be allowed to make a phone call. From there they will be placed into a booking station, city or county jail.

Bail Las Vegas - Bail Hearing

The suspect, which is now called a defendant will be required to remain in jail until the trial date, unless their Las Vegas bail is posted. For some crimes the defendant is allowed to post bail immediately. For other more serious crimes, the defendant must wait in jail until appearing at a bail hearing. It usually doesn't take more than 48 hours for a defendant to receive this type of hearing. At the bail hearing, a judge will evaluate the crime itself, the defendant's potential for appearing at subsequent, required court proceedings and then set a bail amount. In some cases, if the judge believes the defendant is a flight risk, bail may be denied.

Bail Las Vegas - Setting Bail Amount

The bail amount is at the discretion of the judge, but many courts have bail schedules which outline a standardized amount bail amount for various crimes.
The bail is paid in cash and the amount varies, but is usually related to the severity of the crime(s). Sometimes judges will refer to The bail amount can also be community connections and past criminal activity. If a defendant is unwilling or unable to post a cash bail themselves, a Las Vegas bail bondsman may assist them.

Bail Las Vegas: Bail Bonds Explained

A Las Vegas bail bondsman will first enter into a contractual agreement with the defendant and/or someone cosigning on their behalf. This agreement states that the Las Vegas bail bondsman will post a bail bond also known as a surety bond on the defendant's behalf with the court. Essentially the Las Vegas Bail Bonds agent is telling the court they will be responsible for the defendant to appear at all scheduled court cases until the criminal trial is resolved. If the defendant missed a scheduled court appearance the Las Vegas bail bonds bondsman will be required to pay the full bail amount to the court. So the Las Vegas bail bonds agent has a large incentive to make sure the defendant fulfills their obligation to appear at all court proceedings.

Bail Las Vegas: Paying your Bail Bondsman

In return for posting the bail bond, the Las Vegas bail bondsman will receive a fee for making this pledge to the court on the defendant's behalf. The state of Nevada controls this fee, so Las Vegas bail bonds companies can not charge more or less. The current Nevada, including Las Vegas, bail bondsman fee is 15% of the total bail amount or $50, whichever is higher. For example, if a defendant has a $1000 bail, a Las Vegas bail bondsman will be paid $150 for posting bail bonds by the defendant or someone on the defendant's behalf. Plus any fees assessed by the court are the responsibility of the defendant. Currently the Las Vegas court charges a non refundable $40 fee in addition to the bail amount.

Bail Las Vegas: Your Obligation To The Bail Bondsman

The defendant is obligated not only to the court to appear at all scheduled court dates, but also the Las Vegas bail bondsman who posted the surety bond. Once the defendant has fulfilled this obligation to the court and the case is considered resolved regardless of a criminal conviction, the bond will be "exonerated". That means the contractual agreement between the Las Vegas bail bonds company and the defendant (and in some cases cosigner) will be finished.

Bail Las Vegas: Collateral for Bail Bonds

The defendant or someone on the defendant's behalf may pay the Las Vegas bail bondsman to post the surety bond that secures the defendant's release. Whomever pays the bail bondsman will be asked for collateral. This collateral can be various things of value such as real estate, life insurance policies, cash, stock, bonds, automobiles, etc.. If the defendant misses a court date, a warrant will be issued for the defendant's arrest and after a set amount of time the Las Vegas bail bonds agent will be required to pay the court the full bail amount. In order to cover that cost, the bail bondsman will sell the defendant's or co signers collateral. To prevent incurring the full cost of the bail bond, a Las Vegas bail bondsman may locate and physically return a defendant to the court.