If you are arrested for a crime in Utah, a police officer may keep you in custody until your trial. Trials can take a long time in Utah, often months or years, which means you could spend much time in jail. However, you can secure your release before trial by posting bail.
Bail helps guarantee that you will show up for your trial and other court proceedings after securing your release. A judge will determine how much bail you need based on your situation. If the court sets your bail amount high, you can rely on a Provo bail bonds company to help you pay it and gain your freedom. We at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds offer expert guidance and financial resources for people seeking bail bonds in Provo, Utah.
The Bail Process in Utah
After an arrest, you will attend a hearing called an arraignment. During this hearing, a judge will set your bail amount for release. In Utah, bail is not about punishment or making money for the state. Its main goal is to ensure you appear in court for your trial. By paying bail, you have a financial reason to return for your court date, letting you avoid jail until then.
When deciding bail, the court examines several factors, including the bail schedule.
For example, the court can believe there is enough reason to keep you in custody and decide you must pay bail to ensure your appearance at future court dates. The judge can set a bail amount that aligns with the Utah Uniform Fine/Bail Schedule unless there are strong reasons to change it. This schedule provides a list of standard bail amounts for different offenses.
However, the court can set different bail amounts for the same crime based on your criminal history, which they may rate as “poor,” “fair,” “moderate,” “good,” or “excellent.” Generally, judges use the bail schedule unless special circumstances justify a different amount. The court will also consider if you are a risk to yourself, the alleged victims, or the community or if you might flee.
Most offenders have the right to bail, and judges typically grant it. A judge can deny bail in certain cases. Such a case includes aggravated murder, which may lead to the death penalty in Utah. The court can also deny you bail if you face felony charges and consider you a flight risk. However, many defendants facing felony charges will not receive bail.
Types of Bail in Provo
There are three main types of bail that the Provo courts allow:
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Surety Bond
When using a surety bond, a third party, like a Provo bail bonds company, takes responsibility for your bail amount. Usually, the bondsman will charge you around 10% of the total amount the court sets upfront, but this fee must be at most 20% by law.
This fee is non-refundable and serves as payment for the bondsman’s services. If you skip court, the bondsman must pay the entire bail amount. The court will order the bail forfeited unless a bounty hunter finds you.
To reduce the risk of you fleeing, especially for large bail amounts, the bondsman may ask you to provide collateral, such as a car, that matches the bail amount. The bondsman can take the collateral if needed. If you flee or miss your court hearing, the Provo bail bondsman can also cancel the bail bond if:
- You or a co-signer give false information
- If the court files new charges against you
- If the court raises the bail amount
- If you fail to update the bail bondsman with any changes to your contacts or job
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Cash Bail
The easiest way to post bail is through cash bail. The defendant pays the entire bail amount directly to the court in cash. Usually, this is done with a check, although some courts may accept credit cards.
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Property Bond
You can also secure a bail amount by using the equity in your property or home, equal to that amount. If you miss your court dates, the court can seize the property. This type of bond is a less common option for defendants.
Not all offenses require a bail hearing with a judge. For minor crimes, jail staff often have a bail schedule they use. In these cases, jail officers can set a standard bail amount and release you quickly.
Alternatives to Bail
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Pretrial Service Release
A defense lawyer can occasionally negotiate with the court to let you avoid bail by utilizing Pretrial Services (PTS). This option may involve wearing an electronic ankle monitor like SCRAM or GPS.
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Release on “Own Recognizance”
Another option is release on “Own Recognizance” (OR), where you agree to appear in court for all hearings without posting bail or being monitored by PTS. Generally, OR release is permitted only for non-violent offenses and if you are not thought to be a flight risk.
Benefits of Using a Provo Bail Bonds Company
Here are some advantages of choosing a Provo bail bonds company to secure your release:
Quick Release
When you find out a loved one has been arrested, your main worry is securing their release. Being in jail can lead to lost family time and emotional pain. A skilled Provo bail bonds company understands the court system and can assist in securing a fast release for the person detained.
Lower Financial Risk
If you use cash or a property bond to bail out your loved one, you risk losing that money or property if the defendant does not attend court. However, with a bail bond, the court allows the bail bonds company time to locate the defendant before forfeiting the bond. This method lowers the chance of losing your bail money.
24/7 Availability
Arrests can happen at any hour, and when someone you care about is in jail, you need help quickly. Bail bond companies offer the benefit of being accessible even after regular hours, meaning you can begin securing your loved one’s release at any time, which can help shorten their stay in jail.
Court and Jail Information
Jails and courthouses in Provo include:
Utah County Jail
3075 North Main Street
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Utah County Justice Court
151 South University Avenue
Provo, UT 84061
Provo City Justice Court
Find a Reliable Provo Bail Bonds Service Near Me
In Utah, defendants do not have to remain in jail while waiting for their trial. To secure your release, you can pay bail and return to your daily life until your court date. You can post bail in cash, with property, or through a Provo bail bonds company. Many people opt for bail bonds to reduce financial pressure. We at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds offer quick, dependable, and budget-friendly bail bonds for clients in Provo, Utah. Call us today at 800-930-8999 to explore your bail options.