Are You Eligible for Bond Release in a Federal Crime?

(The content below was transcribed from an interview done with Acacia Law. We think you'll find it much easier
and more enjoyable to read this way.)

Interviewer: When people are arrested and charged with federal crimes, is the bond process the same for state crimes or does different criteria apply?

Acacia Law: It's pretty much the same. The federal courts have an agency called "pretrial services office", who meet with defendants beforehand, get their contact information, determine what kind of family ties they have, connections to the community, employment, their legal status in the country.

Similar to State Court, There Are Circumstances Where a Bond Will Not Be Issued in a Federal Case

They evaluate the defendant to see whether or not there are any substance abuse issues or whether there are mental health issues. Then pretrial services will make a recommendation to the judge as to what the conditions of release should be. There are certain offenses in federal court where, just like in state court, there's a presumption that the person is not bondable.

Interviewer: Does that occur more often in federal cases or is it about the same?

Acacia Law: My guess is about the same.

What Type of Person Is Charged with a Federal Crime?

Interviewer: Of the people that you see that are charged with federal crimes, are they different in their nature, character, and walk of life versus people charged with state crimes?

Acacia Law: No, they are not different. Obviously with the immigration offenses, they are people who are not US citizens.

And many of the drug offenses where you have people who are mules, they're not US citizens so that's one, probably if I had to say a distinguishing factor. But other than that, you see people from every walk of life that are being hauled into federal court.