If you or a loved one has been arrested in Maryland and charged with a crime, one of the first stages of the criminal prosecution is making and setting bail. Arrest and bail are complex legal processes, and far too often, families and individuals navigate these waters alone. Your freedom requires the best possible defense: An experienced bail attorney that knows the system and can best argue for your release is a valuable asset during these initial stages of criminal prosecution.

The Law Offices of Blackford & Flohr has more than a decade of experience arguing for the release of individuals during bail proceedings in the Maryland and Baltimore court systems. Our skilled legal team knows what it takes to argue for a client’s release and reduced bail terms.

Key Points:

• Under the Maryland Bail Reform Act, judges consider a range of factors when deciding whether to release a defendant on bail, including the nature and severity of the charges, the defendant’s criminal history, and the likelihood that the defendant will flee or pose a danger to the community.
• Judges must also consider non-monetary conditions of release, such as electronic monitoring or drug testing.
• The goal of the Maryland Bail Reform Act is to reduce the number of people held in jail simply because they cannot afford to pay bail, while still ensuring public safety and the defendant’s appearance in court.
• Defendants who are released on bail are subject to regular check-ins and monitoring, and failure to comply with release conditions can result in arrest and the revocation of bail.
• The new law aims to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in the criminal justice system by reducing the reliance on cash bail, which disproportionately affects low-income defendants and communities of color.
• Critics argue that the new law puts public safety at risk, while supporters maintain that it is a necessary step towards a fairer and more just criminal justice system.

Understanding Maryland Bail Proceeding

Following an arrest in Maryland, the charged individual must be brought before a court commissioner within 24 hours. During this initial appearance, the individual is presented with information specific to the criminal charges, as well as information about his or her right to an attorney. Then, the commissioner decides if the individual will be released on personal recognizance, released on bail, or held without bail until the trial.

In determining bail, there are two core considerations that are used in Maryland and Baltimore courts:

• Will this person appear in court on the date of the trial?
• Does this person pose a clear threat to others?

It’s our duty as bail lawyers to persuade the court that you will show up for your trial and that you do not pose a clear threat to others. If there’s one thing a bail lawyer does, it’s to prove these 2 statements.

For a large percentage of individuals, a bail amount will be set. Yet, if bail is set at an amount that is difficult or impossible to pay, an individual can request a bail reduction hearing. At this stage, it’s important that your attorney understands how to argue for reduced bail terms because following a reduction denial, it is challenging, although possible, to reverse the decision post-hearing.

How Bail Lawyers Can Help

Blackford & Flohr are committed to advocating for individuals during bail proceedings in the Maryland courts. With each case, our law team provides personalized attention, helping our clients to earn bail reductions, avoid bail bondsmen, and achieve a pre-trial release.

Maryland bail lawyers can help with:

• Bail Reduction: Our bail lawyers knows what information to present to the court to secure reduced bail. Additionally, an experienced attorney can help show that a client poses no flight risk.
• Ensuring Release: Making sure you or your loved one gets out on bail is of your upmost concern. Our team is fluent in Maryland bail proceedings, and we have a variety of strategies for advocating for the release of our clients.
• Avoiding Bail Bondsman: Using a bail bondsman can be costly for working families, as the cash that’s put down to pay for bail is never returned to the family. In certain cases, our team can help families pay the court directly, with the cash amount returned to them following the trial.

If you or a loved one is facing a bail hearing, you need the experience of Maryland bail lawyers. Blackford & Flohr has more than a decade of experience advocating for clients in Maryland and courts, and we’re here to help you build a successful defense. Let us help you protect your freedom; contact us today for a free consultation.