How Can I Get Bailed Out of Jail in Minnesota?
December 23, 2013 | Adriel B. VillarrealIn Minnesota, there are three different ways to secure your release from jail. Each becomes available after a bail hearing. One way is for the judge to release you on recognizance. This means that he will release you on your promise to appear in court every time you are summoned, and to comply with any other conditions he may set for your release. This is most likely to happen when the charges are relatively minor, or if you’ve never been charged before. It’s more common for the judge to set a bail amount. If the crime is very serious or if you’re considered a flight risk you can expect that bail amount to be relatively expensive. Once the bail amount is set you can post bail one of two ways. The first way is to pay the amount in cash. If you do this there is a chance you will get all or some of your money back. You will get it all back if: You attend every court date. You comply with all of the conditions of your release. You are found not guilty. You may get some of the money back even if you are declared guilty, so long as you complied with your court dates and met all of the…
Read MoreHow Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
December 19, 2013 | Adriel B. VillarrealCost should probably be the last thing on your mind when you are charged with a criminal offense. Your real concern should be getting the best representation you can get in the hopes of walking away from your charges with a minimum amount of damage to your life. However, unknowns can add to your stress and distress. So while the cost can depend on your circumstances we thought we’d share a little bit about how those costs may be determined. The attorney will consider how long he anticipates your case taking after consulting with you. He will listen to your concerns and to your story. Then he will generally set a flat fee retainer based on the amount of time he anticipates the case taking. He will take his hourly rate into account. The retainer will secure the representation you need. Other billing arrangements are generally handled at a later date. The amount that you’d pay for a good criminal lawyer won’t be cheap, but you are defending your reputation and possibly your freedom. Any court-ordered fines or restitutions could end up being far more expensive than attorney’s fees, as well. Resist the urge to look for rock-bottom prices when selecting a criminal defense attorney. If you are so financially so financially strapped…
Read MoreWhat Should I Do if There is a Warrant Out for My Arrest?
December 12, 2013 | Adriel B. VillarrealAn arrest warrant is a serious situation that deserves your immediate attention. You could be found and arrested at any time, even if the police haven’t visited your home yet. If you learn of a warrant before your arrest you should call a criminal defense attorney immediately. An attorney can advise you on your next steps. You should not leave this issue unaddressed. Every day that you allow a warrant to pass unanswered becomes a day that makes your situation much more serious. You begin to look more and more like a fugitive. When caught, you will be considered a flight risk. This is even true for very old warrants. A warrant for your arrest doesn’t just go away. Once one has been issued there’s no statute of limitations on it. Old legal problems are just as important for you to deal with as new ones. You could be picked up at a traffic stop at any time. The attorney may be able to find options you didn’t even know that you had, so long as you work with him before you are caught. After you are caught your options become far more limited. While it’s true that an attorney may want you to turn yourself in he can do this in a…
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