When a judge has to make a decision about a pre-trial release for a defendant, they refer to different sources. They may take a bail investigator’s report into account or one prepared by a similar government employee who’s assessed the defendant’s ties to and standing within the community. They can also listen to what others may have to say about the defendant. The court, of course, considers the charges against the defendant as well as their rap sheet.
There are some jurisdictions in the US which are utilizing sophisticated formulas to evaluate and assess the risks posed by defendants. Judges leverage these evaluations when they consider pre-trial release. These are called bail algorithms.
In this post, we’re going to discuss how a bail algorithm works. Let’s dive right in.
Factors That Influence a Bail-Setting Formula
Bail algorithms utilize statistics to evaluate the risk posed by a defendant were they to be released pre-trial. Here’s how it works: The algorithm considers selected information about the defendant and produces a more objective and scientifically-based evaluation. Before the judge makes their decision about whether to set bail or what amount to set it at, they consider this assessment as well.
A bail algorithm tends to consider a number of different factors, which it then produces into a score or a recommendation for or against release. Some of the important factors that a bail algorithm uses when making its assessment are the following:
- The defendant’s age
- The current charges against the defendant
- The defendant’s criminal history
- The defendant’s track record of failing to appear for court hearings
Reliable Bail Bond Services in Indiana
If you’ve found yourself in need of a bail bond, let us use our expertise to work. At DeLaughter Bail Bond, we offer a 24-hour bail bond service for every situation. We try our best to help out defendants get out of jail as they await their trial. Reach out to us for the lowest bail bond rates available. We extend our bail bond services in Allen Country, Whitley County, and Huntington County, IN.
