Best ways to use your time while out on bond

When first being released from jail after paying bond there is a sense of things can go back to normal but in reality, while you can go back to your regular life, there are some things that have to be taken care of while awaiting the arraignment. From bond conditions to societal obligations, here are the things that should be done to both stay out of jail and impress the judge during the upcoming hearing.

Comply with all bond conditions

Perhaps the most important factor that has to be taken into account while out on bail is bond conditions. Bond conditions are a specific set of rules that the judge hands down to go along with setting bonds. These can be very specific to a certain case but some of the most standard bond conditions require abstaining from drugs and alcohol, staying in the state, and sometimes attending court-mandated classes such as anger management. These conditions must be followed in order to stay in compliance and if violated, it could lead to a bench warrant which will take the defendant right back to jail with a much smaller chance of being released again. Bond conditions are essentially like probation but before sentencing instead of after.

Get or keep a job

Another extremely common bond condition that judges will impose is employment. If you are employed currently then it is best to remain there until after the case concludes and if you are currently unemployed then the judge will insist that you look for employment. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is that it is far less likely for a defendant to flee if they have a place to report to consistently, but also it is a way to show the judge that you are taking part in society in a way that is productive and meaningful. The reason why it is best to keep a job during the duration of a trial is that the judge will view it as an act of responsibility. While it is not necessarily a condition to stay with the job you currently have, it can come across as less serious when the judge sees a defendant who has been job-hopping.

Take on some volunteering

There is no better way to show that you want to help make the world better and improve your community than to volunteer your time and skills. Volunteering will absolutely impress the judge which may in turn lead to more lenient sentencing but it can also be an invaluable way to find purpose, gain networking connections and obtain experience in fields that you may be interested in. Volunteering now can also come in handy if community service is part of a sentence because the time could potentially be credited or at the very least could give you an in when having to find an organization to work with.

Stay close to friends and family

One other thing that a judge will take into account is if the defendant has a support system around them. It is important to maintain relationships not only because it can be a stressful and difficult time and support always helps but also because like with employment, someone is less likely to try and run when they have roots tied to the community. To conclude, this time before the case officially begins is an excellent chance to do some actions that show the judge that you are ready and willing to be a valuable member of society.