Yes, there is such a thing as a federal misdemeanor. While most people associate misdemeanors with state or local courts, the federal government also prosecutes lesser crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction. Federal misdemeanors involve violations of federal law that…
Serving 85% of an 8-year sentence means the inmate will spend approximately 6 years and 9 months in custody before becoming eligible for release. This percentage is often applied under laws that require offenders to serve a specific portion of…
A defendant can often bail themselves out of jail, depending on the charges, bail amount, and the jail’s procedures. When bail is set, the court allows the defendant to secure release by paying a specific amount of money as a…
A 2nd degree felony is a very serious criminal charge that carries significant penalties, including long prison sentences, heavy fines, and lasting consequences. It’s one level below a 1st degree felony, which means it’s still considered a major offense. A…
When a court sets bail at $75,000, the defendant or someone acting on their behalf must secure that amount to allow pre-trial release. For most people, posting the full $75,000 in cash is not feasible. Instead, they often use a…
On a $1,000 bond, you usually pay a percentage of the total amount if you use a bail bondsman. Most bail bond companies charge around ten percent, meaning you would pay $100 to secure release. This payment is non-refundable because…
Federal agency bonds are widely considered to be safe investments, though they carry some risks that investors should understand. These bonds are issued by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) or federal agencies and are used to support public policy goals, such…
Charges are not typically dropped at a bond hearing because the purpose of that hearing is to determine whether a defendant should be released from jail and under what conditions. A bond hearing focuses on setting or reviewing bail, not…
Yes, burglary is usually considered worse than theft because it involves entering a property unlawfully with the intent to commit a crime inside. Theft focuses on taking someone else’s property, while burglary involves both trespassing and the intent to steal…
A $5,000 bond means the court has set bail at five thousand dollars as the price for release from jail before trial. This amount guarantees that the defendant will appear for all scheduled court hearings. The person can either pay…