If you’ve been arrested in Barrow County, you may be offered the opportunity to post bond, securing your release back into the community until your trial. The Barrow County jail bond process can be difficult to understand for those who have never faced criminal charges, but we are here to answer any questions you might have and help you navigate this potentially complex procedure.
What Is a Bond?
A bond, also referred to as a bail bond, can be used to secure the freedom of an inmate in the Barrow County Detention Center on Barrow Pike Drive in Winder until their set trial date. There are several ways to post bond in Barrow County. You can:
- Use a home as collateral. Someone you know can use the equity in their home as a bond. You cannot be the owner of the property, and its named owners must be present at your bond hearing. The equity in the home must meet or exceed the amount of your bond, and proof of equity must be provided for bond amounts over $12,000.
- Pay in cash. Cash can be used to bond an inmate out.
- Use a credit card. People can also use credit cards to bond out their loved ones.
- Go to a bondsman. Barrow County maintains a list of approved bonding companies that can be used to bond out inmates when cash, credit cards, or real estate cannot be used. Bondsmen charge a percentage of the total bond amount as a fee.
We can help you determine the most effective and efficient way to move forward with securing your release or that of a loved one being held at the Detention Center.
Barrow County Magistrate Court’s First-Appearance Process
People arrested in Barrow County must be presented before a magistrate or another judicial officer for a first appearance within 48 hours of a warrantless arrest or within 72 hours of an arrest with a warrant. During this initial hearing, the judicial officer can set the bond, which is considered a waiver of the right to a commitment hearing.
In most cases, standard bond schedules are used to determine bond amounts. For certain serious charges outlined in O.C.G.S. 17-6-1, the judge of a superior court must set the bond.
Hire a Top Rated Criminal Defense Lawyer
Over 230,000 people cycle through Georgia’s local jails annually, with over 40,000 people incarcerated on any given day. Many of the people who are spending time in Barrow County jails may be eligible to post bond, but the process can be challenging if you don’t know how to navigate local judicial systems, and you may face high bond amounts if you don’t have a lawyer on your side to argue for a reasonable bond.
If you’ve been arrested in Barrow County, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer right away. Your Barrow County criminal defense attorney may be able to help you argue for a lower bond amount and secure your release until your trial. The team here at the Law Offices of Adam M. Cain is here to help. We can assist you with every step in the criminal process, including your bond hearing. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation right away.
