Under the Sixth Amendment, every citizen of the United States is entitled to have a trial by a jury of his or her peers if accused of a crime. But is it the right choice? Is it better for a judge or a jury to decide your fate? Judge A trial in which a judge…
Should I Use a Public Defender?
You’ve been arrested or a warrant has been issued for your arrest. When the arresting officer read you your Miranda Rights, he or she said, “You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you at no cost.” “Great!” you think. “I can get a free…
Should I Turn Myself In?
If you discover that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, what should you do? Do you go to the nearest police station and turn yourself in? Do you run? Do you stick your head in the sand and pretend that it hasn’t happened? The answer to this question is none of the above. …
Miranda Rights
We’ve heard it a million times on police or detective dramas on tv. Someone is arrested, and as the detective scornfully slaps the handcuffs on the alleged criminal, he recites, “You have the right to remain silent…” as he drags him away toward the squad car. This recitation is of a person’s Miranda Rights that…
10 Facts about Bail Recovery Agents
Bail recovery agents are an important part of the bail bonds system. If bail is allowed for a particular defendant, it can be thousands of dollars, which the typical criminal defendant doesn’t have. He or she can seek help paying for it through the services of a bail bondsman who, for a fee which is…
What is Bail Revocation?
Bail revocation is when a defendant who has been released on bail, does something to violate the terms or conditions and is ordered to return to jail until the date of the trial. There could be several reasons for revocation: Failure to appear. If the defendant missed a court appearance or “skipped”. Committed a crime…
Helpful Tips for Court
If you find that you’ve been arrested, you know what to do: be calm, listen carefully, and call Mercy Bail Bonds. But what happens after we’ve helped you post bond and you have been released? You’re probably worried and stressed about your upcoming court appearance, but there are a few things that you can do…
Beware of Bail Bond Scams
Scammers are ruthless individuals who don’t care whose money they’re stealing. One of the worst is the Grandparents Scam. It involves the unscrupulous scammer posing as the grandchild of the victim, telling an elaborate tale that usually ends with the grandchild in jail in need of bail money. What grandparent wouldn’t want to help their…
The Difference Between Bail and Parole
The terms “bail” and “parole” are often confused with one another. While they are similar, in that a defendant’s past criminal history and conduct are considered, they are completely separate processes that take place at different times of a criminal case. What is bail? After a person has been arrested for a crime and has…
The Booking Process
We’ve all watched cop shows. The police, one a serious, by-the-book kind of guy and the other a carefree prankster, are called in on a crime, make an arrest, and bring the suspect in to be booked and jailed, all the while making witty quips and observations and dreaming of retirement. But what happens in…