Defendants are “staged” by CBIF staff at around 10:00 AM. This involves placing them in holding cells outside of the courtroom in the order in which they appear on the court’s docket, or schedule. While in these cells, all defendants watch a video where a Judge explains the bail review process and the rights that are involved in bail review.

When the video is complete, those represented by the Public Defender are interviewed by the Assistant Public Defender or other attorney who will represent them. The attorney will review the charges and maximum penalties each defendant faces, as well as collect all the relevant information they need to represent the defendant at the bail review hearing. This interview is usually focused more on the personal information of the defendant, such as their age, living situation, employment and community activities. While they will discuss the charges, the bail review hearing is about the defendant and whether or not they are a danger to the community or a flight risk and thus the interview will focus on the information that helps make that case.

Bail Review begins at 11:00 AM. when a District Court Judge calls the hearing to order. The Judge will call each defendant one at a time and they stand at their seat. The Judge will read the name, case number and charges for the record. The next step is for a Pre-Trial agent to read off the statement of charges for the record. Following the statement of charges, the agent will then read off the information collected during the defendant’s Pre-Trial interview. The agent will state for the record whether or not the information provided by the defendant was verified, usually by a family member if it was. If a defendant refuses to be interviewed or provide any information, that will be read into the record as well. Following the reading of personal information, the agent will then list to the court the defendant’s history and contact with the criminal justice system. This includes all charges ever brought against the defendant, all convictions, all arrests and any failure to appear (FTA) in Maryland or any other state. The final step for the Pre-Trial agent is to state the recommendation of the Commissioner. There are three recommendations that can be given, lowering the bail, keeping it the same, and raising or revoking the bail.

The next person to speak will be the Assistant State’s Attorney. In some cases, the State’s Attorney will say nothing, having no recommendation for the court. In many instances, the State’s Attorney will seek a higher bail, and will make his case for such an action. While limited to some extent, the State’s Attorney still has a wide latitude to prove that someone may be a danger to the community or a flight risk, based on prior arrests and charges. It is important to note that the State’s Attorney can use as evidence any prior arrest or charge, regardless of whether the case resulted in a conviction or not. In bail review, being arrested or charged for a crime is, more so if there are multiple instances, is treated similarly to being convicted. This applies even the charges were dropped. It is important to keep in mind that the State’s Attorney can use the nature or facts surrounding the charges to make his case as well.

Following the State’s Attorney, the Assistant Public Defender, private attorney or the defendant will be given a chance to make their case for a lower bail. If a defendant is not represented by legal counsel, he is still given a chance to speak to the Judge and place on the record why he or she should have a reduced bail or be released on their own recognizance. One key distinction at this time is that they are advised by the Court not to speak about the charges, only themselves. If represented, the attorney will speak for the defendant, relaying to the Court why they are not a flight risk or a danger to the community, using employment, living situations, children and community activities to make the case for a reduced bail or a release. Even with an attorney present, the defendant is still given a chance to address the Court, though most attorney’s will advise the defendant to remain silent and the Judge will most likely advise the same. At the conclusion of stating the case, the attorney or the defendant will request a reduction in bail or a release. Sometimes this is done in the form of a specific number, based on what can be afforded; the other possibility will be a simple request that the bail be reduced at the Judge’s discretion.

The Judge will make a determination on the record and determine a final bail. This can sometimes be a quick decision, however sometimes the Judge may take their time, or ask for more information. It is also possible that the State’s Attorney will present a rebuttal to the argument and request made by the defense. When the Judge rules, the amount is the final bail required for release, regardless of what was set by the Commissioner previously.

Once a defendant’s bail review is complete, they are then taken out of the courtroom and placed back in CBIF to await release or trial.

If a defendant is charged with a non-violent crime and there is the possibility of new information or facts that might have helped, they can apply for a re-review of bail, usually taking place within a day or two after the new evidence has been verified. This option is not applicable to those charged with any form of violence.

And we quote:

“…Fred Frank has a licensed staff of about 15 agents who’ll work out a payment plan with you, get you out, and get you home. That’s the kind of service Baltimore expects from Fred Frank. Just don’t be stupid and skip bail. They will find you, you can bet on that…”

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When someone is arrested in the State of Maryland, he or she is booked into the local detention facility. In the case of Baltimore City, this is the Central Booking and Intake Facility. After the person who is arrested goes through a sometimes lengthy booking process, he appears before a Court Commissioner so that an initial bail can be set. The Commissioner uses several different pieces of information to set the initial bail, and they are listed below. It is important to keep in mind that while sometimes the charges are the same, the defendant and his or her personal information and background are not, which is the reason why some individuals end up with a bail when a similarly charged defendant is released on his own recognizance or given a much lower bail.

The Charges
The first piece of information a Commissioner uses to determine an initial bail is the charges brought against the defendant. Generally, crimes of violence, felonies, and gun charges may immediately remove the possibility of release on the defendant’s own recognizance. A basic rule of thumb is that violent crimes imply a certain level of possible danger to the community that should be taken into account when deciding a bail. Any felony or violent crime will almost always create a circumstance where a bail is set, or in some cases, a “no bail” is set, which means the defendant must wait in jail until his trial. In addition to felonies and crimes of violence, certain drug crimes such as distribution will also invoke possible high bails.

Repeat Offense/Victim
In cases where the defendant has perpetrated the crime at hand before, or in the case of violence it was directed towards the same victim, the Commissioner will likely set a bail instead of a release. This is taken into account because it implies that the defendant continues to pose some level of threat to the victim or the community. The Division of Pre-Trial Services has all of a defendant’s criminal history at hand once his identity is confirmed through fingerprinting or other means.

Prior Arrest History
A defendant who is new to the criminal justice system, that is to say has had no contact with the system in the past, is generally given a more favorable bail. The prior statement is contingent of course on the above mentioned criteria. Even with no prior criminal history, someone accused of certain violent or felony crimes will most likely be given a bail. In cases where there is no prior contact with the criminal justice system and the charges are lighter or minor, it is not uncommon for a defendant to be released. In cases where a defendant has a previous conviction for a felony or gun violation, the law requires a mandatory “no bail” to be set prior to bail review. One thing that is important to keep in mind is that prior contact does not mean convictions, but all arrests, charges, convictions, dropped charges and reduced charges. Additionally, any record of Failure to Appear will reflect negatively on a defendant’s bail. An FTA implies a possible flight risk or risk of not showing up for court. A failure to appear has almost as much weight as some felony crimes.

Facts in Statement of Charges
If a defendant’s statement of charges contains facts that are shocking or subjectively troublesome, they are likely to find a higher bail or simply that release is off the table. Facts written in a statement of charges are written by the arresting officer or whoever filled out a citizen’s complaint. Facts involving extreme or shocking violence are weighted differently than facts that would seem minor or less of a big deal. All defendants should keep this in mind, as it furthers the idea that no two defendants are the same, and neither are the bails set by the Commissioner. Some defendants could see a low bail if the facts are simple and contain no incidences that would shock or offend someone. Some defendants could see a high bail or a loss of bail if the facts seem more heinous.

Personal Facts
One final piece of information looked at when Commissioners set initial bails is the personal information of the defendant. A defendant who lives with the victim, does not live anywhere, or lives out of state may find himself with a higher bail. These living scenarios and other personal facts help the Commissioner determine that a defendant is less likely to show up to court as expected or would be a danger to any community or victim.

Bail Pre-Set by Judge
In certain bench warrant cases, or violation of probation cases, the Judge controlling the probation or who set the warrant may have already set the bail amount as well. Court Commissioners are hesitant to change this amount, as are other Judges at Bail Review Hearings. In these instances, the Commissioner will most often set the bail the same or higher than the Judge who initiated the action.

Talk To A Licensed Maryland Bail Bond Agent Right Now.
Call (410) FOR-BAIL / (410) 367-2245 . . . and get out of jail fast!

There are a few factors considered in determining bail:

1. Public safety: How serious was the offense; and, are you eligible for bail under the law?
2. Risk of flight: How likely are you to appear for court? Do you live locally? Are you a US citizen?
3. Criminal History: What’s your record like? How many times have you missed court before? How many times have you committed the same offense?

All this is considered when determining an appropriate bail.

After being arrested and waiting the normal processing time, (8-12 hours, on average), if you are given a bail, there is a race against an 8 pm cutoff. After 8 pm, although we can still post bond, the defendant’s release form will NOT be processed until 7 am the following morning.

As if that’s not enough on a defendant’s mind, now we as bondsmen have to wait for the commissioner to fax a copy of the bail bond to the detention center, rely on a corrections officer to retrieve the fax, walk it to the section where the inmate is being housed, have the defendant sign it, and fax the signed copy back to the commissioner. This all must take place before the commissioner will issue the release to the bondsman.

Now, I can tell you first hand…people are NEVER excited about doing more work for the same pay; so, this is by no sense of the word an expedient process. Just the other night, after waiting at the commissioner’s station for 4 1/2 hours for a signed bail bond form, the commissioner decides to call the detention center to see what the hold up was. Well, since the corrections officer “forgot” to check the fax machine, it was like I had just walked through the door. A bail bond itself takes all of five minutes to post. One other thing…if a bail bondsman has multiple bails, the commissioner will only accept one at a time.

This means baltimore county bail bondsmen have to physically leave the commissioner’s station, go and drop off the release form at the detention center, return to the commissioner’s station, and wait our turn in line again to be seen. Once a defendant has lived through that process, he/she must keep in mind that Baltimore County, statistically, is one of the toughest Maryland jurisdictions to stand trial in. Whenever there is a delay in a defendant being released, the bail bondsman is usually blamed. It is totally false that we sit around in our offices, refusing to move unless there are several bonds to post. Trust me–these tough economic times leave very little room for arrogance.

Here at Fred Frank Bail Bonds, we act immediately, even for a $500 bail. Should your loved one get arrested in Baltimore County, please explain that you’ve called the right place, dealt with a professional, and we’re on it!

Valdez V. Fisher, Jr.
Fred W. Frank Bail Bondsman
Since 1997*

The commissioner, considering the defendant’s past criminal record, stability as a citizen, and the safety of the general public, would make a decision to either:

A. Set an appropriate bond (the commissioner had broad discretion on the amount)
B. Release the defendant on his/her own recognizance
C. Hold the defendant without bond

If a defendant was given a bail, he was allowed another phone call to make family aware, and arrange bond. At that time, a bail bondsman was free to post bond, and the defendant would be immediately released. On the spot! In the mid 1990′s, the city decided it would be faster and more efficient to detain all arrestees in Baltimore in one centralized location for processing. The primary objective was to get arresting officers back on the streets quicker.

So, along came Baltimore’s Central Booking facility: a 300 million dollar building, with a new “morgue-styled” system of processing inmates. Officers would drop off an arrestee, type up a statement of charges, and leave. The facility itself takes over from there. Faster? More efficient? Not so much.

Even with technology second to none in the nation, there was such chaos when Central Booking first opened, that people literally got lost in the system–for days. There were caravans of police wagons lined up along Madison Street, waiting to herd defendants in like sheep. On a daily basis, at least double the amount of defendants that the facility was designed to accommodate would be dropped off there, and left to be sorted. A decade later, Central Booking has made significant progress, but it is still a bad experience for most who encounter it.

Although fewer people are getting lost today, the system of processing inmates continues to move slowly. The “toe tag” system is still in place, but it has gotten better organized. The biggest issue that remains is the number of new arrestees in Baltimore City that are dumped in to one laundry basket. Unfortunately, incorrect information is sometimes mistakenly given out by jail staff. This often leaves loved ones frustrated and confused.

The Way Bail Really Works At Baltimore City’s Central Booking Facility

A. An arrest is made.

B. The defendant is transported to Central Booking by the arresting officer.

C. The defendant is fingerprinted, photographed, and given a wrist band with an ID# on it.

D. The defendant is allowed to make a phone call, placed in a holding cell, and will see a commissioner inside of 24 hours. The average time to be seen is 14-18 hours.

E. Even after the defendant is seen by a commissioner, the records department of Central Booking MUST receive the defendant’s paperwork, and enter it into THEIR system before a bail bondsman can post a bond. This sometimes causes an additional 5-7 hour delay.

After a defendant is seen by a commissioner, a pre-trial investigator contacts the defendant’s family. If bond has been set, the investigator routinely tells the family it’s okay to hurry on down and post bond. This is absolutely incorrect. Unless the records department of Central Booking (also known as “records”) has the folder, there is nothing that can be done. A lot of miscommunication and confusion begins here.

This is another reason why choosing a reputable bail bondsman is so important. On top of the long wait your loved one already has in front of him once he is arrested, the last thing you need is to wait for a bondsman to post bond.

Why You Need To Know This

At Fred Frank Bail Bonds, we not only want your business, but we are serious about customer service. We would never, under any circumstance, leave your loved one sitting in jail a second longer than necessary. We put ourselves in the shoes of each of our clients. As a bail bondsman, I ask myself on every case: “What if it was MY kid sitting in there?”

A bail bondsman you can trust communicates with you, every step of the way. At Fred Frank Bail Bonds, we want to earn your business and trust with straightforward answers to your questions, and fast, reliable service. Although we cannot speed up the process at Central Booking, we hope you now understand exactly what happens when a person is arrested in Baltimore City.

Until next time,
Valdez V. Fisher, Jr.
Fred W. Frank Bail Bondsman

Visit www.facebook.com/fredfrankbailbonds and “like” our page today!

As of today, we won’t only be posting only your bail, we’ll also be posting on Facebook too, keeping you up to date on our team, Baltimore crime news, and everything you need to know about bail bonds.

Customer service — and getting you out of jail fast — is our No. 1 priority. That’s why we’ve decided to get on Facebook and continue to interact with our clients and community. We want to hear your stories of how Fred Frank Bail Bonds has helped you, and what we can do to better help people in need of bail bonds.

Do you have questions for experienced bail agents? Post on our Facebook wall and ask away.

Check Out Our Custom-made Tabs

On our Facebook tabs, we’ve posted useful information about Fred Frank Bail Bonds and how we can serve you. Here you will see that we have more than 20 licensed agents who are available to help you 24 hours a day, which means that you don’t have to wait for someone else’s bond to be posted before you or your loved one can get out of jail.

You’ll also see that we offer the lowest rates allowed by law. Our payment plans are always interest free and we can write cash bonds.

Fred Frank Bail Bonds has been posting bail bonds for almost 50 years – we understand the jails, the courts, and your situation. We have a proven track record of helping thousands of men and women of all ages get out of jail quickly and resume their lives. Our family business is successful because we are dedicated to serving our clients and treating them with respect and fairness.

Customer satisfaction is our primary goal and we are using social media to prove it. Please use the like button and also suggest our page to your family, friends and colleagues.

Remember, if you want to sleep in your own bed, Call Fred!

As we further discuss choosing the bail bondsman that’s right for you, I would like to take a moment to answer some of our most frequently asked questions.  A bondsman you can trust will always give it to you straight–even if it means you may decide against posting bail altogether.  We at Fred Frank Bail Bonds pride ourselves  on trust, respect, integrity, reliability, and fast service.  As a consumer, you should accept nothing less.  Let’s get started!

Q: I signed to be responsible for a bond, the case is still open, but I would like to have my name removed.  Is this possible?

A: Signing for bail is a decision you must make very carefully.  Your signature was a key factor in our decision to take on the risk. Unfortunately, until the case is closed, we’re in this together.

Q: I paid for my son’s bail.  When the case is closed, do I get my money back?

A: Our fee is non-refundable, but well worth it.  Instead of waiting in jail for a trial date, which could be postponed several times, our service allows clients to enjoy the comfort and convenience of being in their own homes.

Q: I have a pre-set bail.  Do I still have to see a court commissioner?

A: Yes.  Even with a pre-set bail, you still must be informed by the courts of certain rights you have as a defendant, such as the right to obtain a lawyer.

Q: Can Fred Frank Bail Bonds post a cash-only bail?

A: Absolutely!  Our company has the financial strength to solve any bail issue you have.  Call us!

Q: Can I put up my car for bail, instead of paying the fee?

A: Sorry, we do not accept cars or other collateral in the place of our fee.  For your convenience, however, we accept cash, checks, money orders and all major credit cards.

I hope you have found this list of honest answers useful.  At Fred Frank Bail Bonds, we appreciate the opportunity to serve you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Call us at (410) FOR-BAIL if you have any questions.

Until next time–
Valdez

As a consumer, you should have similar concerns. In choosing a bail bondsman, it is very important to be as aware of who you are doing business with as possible. There are a lot of people running around town, with an Office Depot receipt book, passing themselves off as licensed bail bondsmen. Should you make the mistake of giving these people your money, it could be lost forever, while your loved one remains in jail. I would like to share a story with you.

About six months ago, I went to write a bail in the middle of the night. When I met with the family at the detention center, they told me how glad they were that I was willing to come out at 3 am. They went on to explain that they had called a previous “bail bondsman”, who insisted on meeting them at their house, instead of the facility where the defendant was being held. This was very strange to them, but they agreed. When the “bondsman” arrived, he jotted down some information on the back of what appeared to be a carry-out menu, wrote them a plain, non pre-printed receipt, and left—supposedly heading to post the bond of $100,000.

Something did not feel quite right to the family. The guy showed up in a car that looked like a taxi cab, and was very hurried and unprofessional. The family gave him about a two minute head start and decided they’d better follow him. They noticed he was not even heading in the direction of the jail. When he stopped for gas about half a mile from a major interstate leading out of town, they approached him.

The guy jumped in his vehicle and sped away. The family, chasing the “bondsman” at nearly 90 miles per hour, called the state police from their cell phone. The police got involved in the chase, and the “bondsman” finally pulled over. Luckily, the family was able to recover their money, minus the gas. Especially with the climate of our economy, fraud and money schemes are at an all time high.

Tips For Selecting A Bail Bondsman

Beware of “bail companies” with no fixed address. A brick & mortar building does not guarantee good service, but it does give you a point of reference should you need to contact the police.

Do not hesitate to ask to see a bail bondsman’s credentials. Trust me—we took a tough test to become licensed. A real bail bondsman will be proud to show it to you.

Beware of a “bail bondsman” who gives you a generic receipt, (no pre-printed business information). A company that is serious about doing business will plug themselves in as often, and whenever they can. Your receipt is a form of advertisement.

At Fred Frank Bail Bonds, we have a full staff of licensed, dedicated bail agents, in business 40+ years, ready to give you personalized service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When you walk through our door, you’ll know you’re at the right place!

Make Sure The Bail Company Has More Than Just One Bail Agent

A single bail bond agent can only be in one place at a time. By choosing a bail company with many agents, you won’t end up sitting in jail for longer than necessary waiting for someone to get around to your case.

Fred Frank Bail Bonds has a national network of hundreds of bail bonds agents who can post your bond fast. If you are arrested in Baltimore, anywhere in Maryland, or anywhere in the United States call us at (410) FOR-BAIL / (410) 367-2245.

Make Sure Your Bail Agent Has A Track Record Of Customer Service

Since 1965, Fred Frank Bail Bonds has had a reputation for exceptional customer service and the ability to provide flexible payment plans to our customers. Your fast release from jail is our #1 priority.

To find out how we will help you get through a difficult time as quickly as possible, call (410) FOR-BAIL / (410) 367-2245.

Make Sure Your Bail Agent Has The Authority To Write A Bond As Large As You Need

Most bail bond agencies in Maryland can only write bonds for up to $100,000 or $200,000. Fred Frank Bail Bonds is authorized to write a bail bond of any size. This authority allows us to write bonds quickly and get your loved one out of jail fast.

Need An Immigration Bond?
Make Sure Your Bail Agent Has The Right Credentials.

Fred Frank Bail Bonds is the only bail bonds company in Maryland that has the authority to post immigration bonds.

Talk To a Licensed Bail Bond Agent Right Now

Call (410) FOR-BAIL / (410) 367-2245 . . . and get out of jail fast!

We’ve helped thousands of men and women of all ages get out of jail quickly and resume their lives. We look forward to helping you. Call or contact us.