What is a bond hearing?

A bond hearing is held after the defendant is arrested. A judge determines whether the defendant is a danger to society and/or whether he/she will return to court for future court dates. The more serious the charge, the higher the bond usually is. Once the bond amount is set, the defendant can post 10% to be released from custody. For example: a $10,000 bond would require the person in custody posting $1,000 to be released. The court can impose specific conditions be placed on the defendant’s bond such as a curfew, no contact with the victim, etc. Defendants out on bond are monitored by Lake County Pre-trial Services. Although bond is usually set in the early stages of the criminal case, the defense can ask for a bond review or modification of bond on future court dates.

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1. What is a public defender or defense attorney?
2. Who is the defendant/offender?
3. What is a bond hearing?
4. What is the difference between a criminal case and civil case?
5. What is a preliminary hearing?
6. What is a Grand Jury?
7. What is an indictment?
8. What is an arraignment?
9. What is a pre-trial?
10. How can an offender plea not guilty if he/she made a statement to the police or there are witnesses to the crime?
11. Who decides if the defendant pleas guilty or goes to trial?
12. What is the purpose of a trial?
13. What is a sentencing hearing?
14. What is a pre-sentence investigation (PSI)?
15. What is a negotiated or plea agreement?
16. What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
17. What happens if the defendant is sentenced to the Department of Corrections (prison)?
18. How much of the sentence will a defendant have to actually serve?