If you are facing the possibility of a felony conviction, you will need to understand how this process works in Colorado. Part of the felony process is going through bail proceedings after the initial arrest. This can be a very stressful process, which is why you should hire a felony defense attorney to help you navigate the legal complexities.
To make the bail process go as smoothly as possible, you need to hire a lawyer who has experience handling felony charges. They can represent your case and advocate on your behalf so that you are treated fairly throughout your bail proceedings.
What Is the Bail Process Like In Colorado?
In the state of Colorado, anyone who is arrested for a felony has to post bail unless a personal recognizance bond is permitted. For most situations involving a felony charge, the bail amount is already set, allowing you to get a release on bail without having to go in front of a judge. If the jail does not have a bail schedule already set, you can ask to see a judge to request bail.
In Colorado, how much bail costs will depend on several factors, including your arrest record, previous felony convictions, and your behavior at the time of the arrest. Keep in mind that certain violent felony charges do not allow for you to post bail. There are four different ways you can post bail, including:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Property bond
- Personal recognizance bond
It’s also important to remember that bail is not intended to punish the person who is facing the felony charges. The purpose of bail is to serve as a guarantee that the defendant will return to court after they are released from jail.
All the court hearings must be attended, and it is your responsibility to ensure you know where they are and when you have to be there. Failure to attend any of your court appearances could result in the court issuing a warrant for your arrest or your bond being revoked or increased.
How a Felony Defense Attorney Helps With Bail Proceedings
Even though bail proceedings in Colorado for felony charges are quite straightforward, this can still be a very stressful process. If this is your first time going through the bail process, having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side is incredibly helpful. Here are some of the things a felony defense attorney can do to make this process less stressful.
Advocates Bail Conditions
In Colorado, if you are granted bail for a felony charge, the judge may impose certain conditions for your bail. The purpose of bail conditions is to ensure that you appear at all of your hearings. These conditions are also designed to ensure you uphold Colorado laws as you are waiting to attend your hearings.
Common examples of conditions for felony bail include:
- No firearms or deadly weapons
- Court approval if you intend to leave the state
- No contact with witnesses
- No contact with alleged victims
- No alcohol or recreational drugs
Bail conditions may be excessively restrictive, go against your rights, or hinder something you require. In this instance, your attorney can advocate on your behalf to get more reasonable bail conditions that fit the situation.
Helps With the Legal Process
The legal process after a felony arrest involves many moving parts that you may be unaware of. One of the benefits of hiring an attorney is that they have experience in this area and know what to do next. In many instances, your attorney can be working on the legal process without you.
Your attorney can do things like file motions, gather evidence, negotiate with the other involved parties, and investigate the evidence against you.
Handling the legal complexities of a felony conviction isn’t something that most people are equipped to do. Not only do you not have the years of experience that a felony defense attorney has, but you also won’t have the same kind of resources available.
Having help with the legal process will save you time and can even help you save money if your attorney can reduce the fines you have to pay.
Works to Mitigate Penalties
One of the main jobs of a felony defense attorney is helping to mitigate penalties regarding your felony charges. A felony conviction can come with severe implications, such as jail time, fines, community service, and probation.
Your attorney will investigate the charges and evidence and look at your circumstances. This can help them to better negotiate your penalties to get reduced charges or have them dropped entirely.
For instance, your attorney may be able to find evidence that your rights were not upheld, which could have some evidence thrown out. Or they can help you avoid more extreme consequences that do not fit the details of the crime.
Provides Support
Navigating the legal complexities regarding a felony charge is very difficult since it can be an isolating experience. You have to take many legal steps, and if you aren’t familiar with the process, it can become very confusing.
An attorney will represent you throughout this entire process and will act with your best interest in mind. They will be able to take over many aspects of your case and can use their extensive resources to get you the best results possible.
Your attorney will be there if you have any questions and can instruct you on the best legal options to take advantage of. This ensures that your rights are upheld and you aren’t charged with unwarranted penalties or bail restrictions.
Hire a Top Felony Defense Attorney today at the Law Offices of Clifton Black
Going through the bail process for felony charges can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you don’t know what to expect. That is why hiring a felony defense lawyer should be one of your first steps. A criminal defense attorney can help you mitigate penalties and advocate on bail conditions.
At the Law Offices of Clifton Black, our attorneys are dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible legal representation. For empathetic and experienced legal guidance, contact us today at (719) 328-1616 to schedule a consultation.
