Washington State Bail Bond System Explained

Being charged with a crime is often disorienting and confusing, especially if you do not have any previous experience in the justice system. What should you do, and how do you get released on bond so you can build your defense? Fortunately, a Washington criminal defense lawyer at Puget Law Group can explain the Washington State bail bond system so you are more confident to face allegations against you.

Washington State Bail Bond Process

After being arrested and processed, you may be able to post bond right away, or you could have to wait for a bail bond hearing. The specifics depend on the seriousness of your charges and other factors, such as having a previous criminal history. Either way, you will be given a bail amount and must arrange to pay that before you are released.

If your charges are serious, you will appear at your arraignment, where you will be formally charged, and you enter your plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The judge will then decide what your bond amount will be, and you must pay it to the bail bonds person in one of several forms. Typically, you are only required to pay 10% of your bond, such as $500 on a $5,000 bail.

Bonds are required to ensure defendants have the incentive to show up for court without requiring them to sit in jail while awaiting their trial. As long as you appear for your court dates, you are eligible to receive any remainder of your bond after your case is completed. However, if you owe any fines or court fees, the court takes these out before refunding whatever is left. 

Ways You Can Pay for Your Bail in Washington State

In rare cases, you could be released on your own recognizance or after a citation release (cite out) without paying any bond. Citation releases are common for traffic violation tickets. Most people aren’t this fortunate and must arrange to pay their bonds in one of three common ways. 

• Cash bond: Cash bonds are paid in full with currency. You can pay for this yourself or have a relative or friend post the full amount on your behalf.
• Property bond: If you have valuable enough assets, the court may accept these in the form of putting a lien against the property as a bond. However, if you fail to appear for your court date, the state can foreclose on the property and seize it.
• Surety bond: This is the most common kind of bond posting, where the defendant uses a bond company to put up the bail amount by signing a contract with the bond agent. 

Posting a surety bond with a bail bondsman means they pay your full bond, and you pay them the 10% instead of paying the court directly. You, a friend, or a relative can contact a bail bond company to arrange an interview with you at the jail. However, unlike paying the court, you aren’t eligible to get your 10% back from a bail bonds company after your case is finished.   

How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Reduce Your Bond

Obviously, you want to pay as little as possible in bond so you don’t have to sell your assets, ask friends to pay for you, or end up in debt to a bail bonds company. However, reducing your bond isn’t as easy as simply asking the court to trust you that you’ll come back for your trial. The best thing you can do is work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can prepare you for your hearing by presenting strong arguments in your favor.

The purpose of a bail bond is to ensure you come back to court for your case, but in some instances, the bond may be set much higher than you can afford. Your defense attorney can file a motion asking the court to reconsider and set a more reasonable bail. They may even be able to persuade the judge to dismiss bail entirely and release you on your own recognizance. 

You Must Appear in Court or Face Consequences

Being released on bond isn’t a free pass to keep living your life the way you did before. The Washington State Legislature established numerous bail determinations that judges can issue, and you must abide by them. If you don’t follow these rules, you could end up back in jail or face even more charges:

• Obey all laws, including traffic laws
• Don’t use drugs or alcohol, and get drug tested if the judge says you must
• Don’t own or use firearms
• Check in regularly with the bond agent or court
• Stay away from anywhere associated with any criminal activity
• Don’t associate with anyone else involved in your case
• Keep your current job or look for one if you are unemployed
• If you are subject to home detention, stay home and don’t risk arrest
• Stay within the jurisdiction and don’t travel without permission from the court 
• Comply with all travel restrictions set forth by the court

The most important thing you must do when out on bail is show up to your court date. If you don’t, the judge may issue a warning, have you arrested, revoke your bail, increase your bail, or put you in jail for contempt of court. It’s not worth it to take a chance, and your criminal defense attorney can help you meet the restrictions so you don’t lose your freedom. 

A worst-case scenario would be if you flee or attempt to leave the jurisdiction to avoid your charges. Under Washington law, you can be held in custody for up to 12 months, and you will lose any bail you have posted. If your friends or family members posted money or property on your behalf, they could lose it without recourse. 

Don’t Take Risks with Your Bail Bond

If you’ve been arrested in Washington State, make the smart move and contact the criminal defense team at Puget Law Group. We manage all aspects of your case, from bond to defense preparation and appeals. 

Our client testimonials demonstrate our diligence and commitment to every case. Contact us today to arrange a consultation and get help with your bail bond questions.